Veranopolis

Researchers are evaluating the effects of eccentric training on the rehabilitation of patients undergoing Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction (ACL-R). This randomized controlled trial involves 34 participants who will be randomly assigned to two groups: the Conventional Training Group (CTG) and the Eccentric Training Group (ETG). The study aims to compare how these different exercise approaches impact recovery, focusing on knee muscle strength and functional status after ACL-R surgery. Both groups will follow the same four-phase rehabilitation program starting in the first week after surgery and continuing until criteria for returning to sports are met. The phases include immediate post-operative, preparatory, general acquisition, and specific acquisition periods. The CTG will perform exercises with equal load during concentric and eccentric phases lasting 2 seconds each, while the ETG will perform a faster concentric phase bilaterally for about 1 second, followed by a slower unilateral eccentric phase lasting about 3 seconds. Participants will be assessed at three time points: immediately after surgery, at 12 weeks post-surgery before training begins, and at 25 weeks post-surgery after completing the training program. Researchers will measure maximum isometric strength of knee extensors as the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes include functional status, knee flexor strength, leg press peak strength, quadriceps muscle size, jump test performance, and psychological readiness to return to sports.

Researchers are evaluating the effectiveness of two types of neuromuscular electrical stimulation during the first month of rehabilitation after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). The study compares stimulation with voluntary muscle contractions (NMES+ group) against stimulation without voluntary contractions (NMES group). Forty patients will be randomly assigned to either group to assess which method better supports recovery. Participants in both groups will follow the same rehabilitation program focused on managing symptoms, reducing inflammation and swelling, improving joint movement, and restoring muscle function. The NMES group will receive electrical stimulation alone, while the NMES+ group will perform maximum voluntary contractions along with the electrical stimulation. This rehabilitation will take place over the first month after surgery. All patients will be assessed before surgery and then again at 2, 15, and 30 days after ACLR. The main measurement is the maximal strength of the knee extensor muscles. Secondary measures include thigh muscle size, self-reported functional problems, knee pain, knee swelling, joint movement range, and quadriceps muscle activation. This comprehensive monitoring aims to understand how well each treatment supports recovery within the first month post-surgery.