| dc.description.abstract | Objective: This study aimed to investigate the association between vastus medialis obliquus
(VMO), rectus femoris (RF), and vastus lateralis (VL) muscle thickness and quadriceps isokinetic
strength, single-leg hop performance, and self-reported knee function in male athletes who had
undergone anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR).
Methods: Forty-two male athletes [mean ± standard deviation, age: 21.4 ± 3.4 years], who had
undergone ACLR and had cleared to return to activity, were included in this study. Real-time
ultrasound images of VMO, RF, and VL thicknesses were obtained from both reconstructed and
contralateral limbs. Concentric quadriceps peak torque at 60°/s and 180°/s, single-leg hop for
Distance (SLHD), and self-reported knee function scores were also assessed. Linear regression
analysis and student t tests were used for statistical analysis.
Results: In reconstructed limb, greater VMO, RF, and VL thicknesses were associated with greater
quadriceps peak torque at 60°/s (p = .008, r
2 = 0.46) and at 180°/s (p = .006, r
2 = 0.47). Greater
quadriceps thickness was related to greater SLHD score in reconstructed limb (p = .002, r
2 = 0.21).
Self-reported knee function scores were not related to quadriceps thickness. VMO, RF, and VL
thicknesses were smaller in reconstructed limb compared to contralateral limb (p < .001, p = .01,
and p = .002, respectively).
Conclusion: Quadriceps thickness by using ultrasound was associated with concentric quadriceps
strength and single-leg hop distance in individuals who had undergone ACLR. However, quadriceps
thickness was not related to self-reported knee function. The ultrasonography may be included in
the evaluation of the knee function after ACLR, and it may be a useful and easy method in the
follow-up of the quadriceps strength recovery following ACLR. | en_US |
