OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of preoperative exercise programmes on quadriceps strength prior to and following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. DESIGN: Systematic review. METHODS: A systematic review was undertaken, included studies were evaluated using the Modified Downs and Black checklist which is appropriate for determining the quality of randomised and non-randomised studies. Scientific databases searched included PubMed, EBSCO Health, CINAHL, Medline, and Cochrane Library databases from inception to March 2021. RESULTS: Ten studies met the inclusion criteria. There were six randomised studies and four prospective studies. The level of evidence is categorised as 'limited' due to heterogenicity and only six studies reported quadriceps strength increases. Five studies demonstrated preoperative exercise of 4 to 16 weeks duration can significantly increase preoperative quadriceps strength. One study demonstrated preoperative OKC exercise produced significantly stronger preoperative quadriceps compared to CKC exercise. One study showed no between group (intervention versus control) quadriceps strength difference pre or 12 weeks postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: 4 to 16 weeks of preoperative exercise could increase quadriceps strength preoperatively but any persistent postoperative strength benefit from undertaking a standardised preoperative intervention is unclear. There is considerable variation and methodological limitations across the included studies and the composition of optimal preoperative ACLR exercise is currently unknown.

Full text (sometimes free) may be available at these link(s):      help

• DOI
• PubMed
• PDF locator
• publisher