The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of two
protocols of electrical stimulation combined with voluntary contractions on the
recovery of thigh muscles after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery. Ten
sportsmen with a mean age of 26 yrs were randomly assigned into two
groups: a 80 Hz stimulated group (5 patients) and a 20 Hz
stimulated group (5 patients). All patients received electrical stimulation of
the quadriceps femoris, five days a week, for 12 weeks, and had a standard
program of voluntary contractions. Muscle and fat volumes of the thigh were
assessed using MRI before surgery and after 12 weeks of rehabilitation.
Quadriceps and hamstring muscle strength were evaluated by isokinetic
measurements. Twelve weeks after surgery, the quadriceps peak torque deficit in
the operated limb with respect to the non operated limb at 180°/s and
240°/s was significantly (p < 0.05) less in the
20 Hz group than in the 80 Hz group. This difference was not
confirmed when comparing the pre-surgery quadriceps peak torque of the operated
limb with the post-surgery one. Subcutaneous fat volume was increased for the
two groups at the post-surgery test. This increase was significantly
(p < 0.05) greater for the 80 Hz group. Thigh muscle
volume deficit was not significantly different between the two groups.
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