[Efficacy of stairclimber for muscle strengthening in a closed system after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction].
In a prospective study we investigated the value regarding muscle strength of two stairclimbers with either coupled or non-coupled pedals at either high or low stepping frequency. Following autologous patellar tendon graft surgery 14 patients for each group completed a strict exercising program. After 6 weeks of training a clear advantage was found for the group stepping at low speed with coupled pedals when measuring: At 60 degree/s the average maximum torque of extension increased from 37.7 to 61.7% as compared to a control group (30 to 47.2%). Analogous the percent ratio of flexion/extension (H/Q ratio) improved significantly. During the second training period the improvement of the extension strength as well as the H/Q ratio was found to be only marginal. No negative effects of this type of training on ligament stability could be detected.


CONCLUSIONS
Regarding a faster recovery of muscle strength and the improvement of the intermuscular coordination, the stairclimber training, beginning with week 7 after surgery and lasting over a period of 6 weeks, is considered advantageous, especially when exercising is done at low speed and with coupled pedals.
Hehl
G
G
Klinik für Unfallchirurgie, Paracelsus-Krankenhaus, Ostfildern-Ruit. gerhard.hehl@t-online.de
Müller
E M
EM
Bair
K
K
Pokar
S
S
Beck
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery*; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery*; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome