Effect of hamstrings muscle action on stability of the ACL-deficient knee in isokinetic extension exercise.
OBJECTIVE
To quantify the effect of hamstrings muscle action on stability of the anterior cruciate ligament deficient knee during isokinetic exercise at various speeds.


METHODS
Mathematical modeling and forward-dynamics computer simulation were used to study the interactions between knee-extension speed, hamstrings co-contraction activity, and anterior tibial translation in the intact and anterior cruciate deficient knee.


BACKGROUND
There is much experimental evidence available to believe that hamstrings co-contraction can reduce anterior tibial translation in the anterior cruciate deficient knee. Little is known, however, about the level of hamstrings activation needed to keep anterior tibial translation within normal limits during functional activity.


METHODS
Isokinetic knee-extension was simulated with a sagittal-plane model used previously to study load sharing between the muscles, ligaments, and bones during isometric knee-extension exercise, isokinetic exercise, and squatting exercise.


CONCLUSIONS
Some amount of hamstrings activation is needed to stabilize an anterior cruciate deficient knee irrespective of how fast the knee extends. The level of hamstrings co-contraction needed to stabilize an anterior cruciate deficient knee is inversely related to extension speed. Hamstrings co-contraction is more effective in reducing anterior tibial translation than low-resistance extension exercise.


CONCLUSIONS
Excessive anterior tibial translation during knee-extension exercise may lead to damage of the meniscus and other passive structures inside the knee. If anterior cruciate deficient patients can be trained to co-contract their hamstrings during isokinetic knee-extension, then this exercise is appropriate for maintaining strength of the thigh muscles without compromising the anterior stability of the knee.
Yanagawa
Takashi
T
Steadman-Hawkins Sports Medicine Foundation, Vail, CO 81657, USA.
Shelburne
Kevin
K
Serpas
Frank
F
Pandy
Marcus
M
D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004548:Elasticity; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D007551:Isotonic Contraction; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007717:Knee / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D008954:Models, Biological; D009068:Movement; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017711:Nonlinear Dynamics; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013710:Tendons / Q000503:physiopathology