[Preliminary study of cardiorespiratory decondittioning in athletes after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to analyze changes in cardiorespiratory fitness of athletes who had surgery following a lesion of the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee.


METHODS
Two groups of 12 athletes at the regional level underwent surgical repair to rebuild the external anterior crossed ligament of the knee (central third bone patellar tendon bone autograft and doubled semitendinosus/doubled gracilis autograft techniques). All subjects were evaluated before and after surgery within 7 days: the first group underwent maximal incremental tests with the upper limbs, and the second group measurement of resting cardiac volumes.


RESULTS
Surgery followed by a few days of confinement generated a quick and significant reduction in the maximal oxygen consumption (-7%, P<0.05) and peak aerobic power (-8%, P<0.05). End diastolic volume and stroke volume were reduced, by 23% and 27% respectively (P<0.05). A significant reduction of ejection fraction was also observed (P<0.05). The mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 65% before the surgery 60% after 7 days' of hospitalization.


CONCLUSIONS
In sportsmen, 7 days of hospitalization due to surgery of the knee led to resting cardiac unsuitability characterized by a significant reduction in the stroke volume. These elements could involve decreased aerobic fitness and should encourage the hospital practitioner to propose a program of aerobic training in addition to conventional rehabilitation.
Olivier
N
N
Service rééducation, polyclinique de Riaumont, rue Entre-Deux-Monts, 62800 Liévin, France. oliviern@neuf.fr
Legrand
R
R
Rogez
J
J
Berthoin
S
S
Weissland
T
T
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery*; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004452:Echocardiography; D005080:Exercise Test; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010809:Physical Fitness; D012119:Respiration; D013318:Stroke Volume; D013997:Time Factors