title: Effect of anterior cruciate ligament deficiency on economy of walking and jogging.
abstract: The metabolic cost of walking and jogging following injury to the anterior cruciate ligament is unknown. Economy of motion refers to the oxygen consumption for a submaximal work rate. The purpose of this study was to compare the economy of walking and jogging of an anterior cruciate ligament-deficient population with that of a control population without orthopaedic abnormalities. Steady-state oxygen consumption was measured in 30 patients and 98 controls while they were on a treadmill at various speeds. Deficiency of the anterior cruciate ligament was diagnosed arthroscopically. The patients also were tested for isokinetic knee extension-flexion strength, hip flexion, and abduction and adduction strength and underwent arthrometric measurement of anterior tibial displacement. The patients had a statistically significant increase in oxygen consumption when jogging at 160.9 m/min (p = 0.007); however, there was no significant effect of anterior cruciate ligament deficiency on economy at the other speeds tested. The patients had significant deficits in strength of all muscle groups tested. Steady-state oxygen consumption at 160.9 m/min tended to be inversely related to the deficit of strength of knee flexion (r = -0.44, p = 0.07). Arthrometric measurements and chronicity of injury were unrelated to steady-state oxygen consumption. These data indicate that anterior cruciate ligament deficiency increases oxygen consumption during jogging. In long-distance running, this decreased economy translates into significant additional caloric requirements, which may result in earlier fatigue.
authors.affiliation: Nicholas Institute of Sports Medicine and Athletic Trauma, Department of Orthopaedics, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York, New York 10021.
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: McHugh
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Spitz
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Lorei
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Nicholas
authors.forename: E B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Hershman
authors.forename: G W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Gleim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D001182:Arthroscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007590:Jogging / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D013977:Tibia / Q000502:physiology; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*