Abstract
This study was designed to examine the effects of closed kinetic chain exercise program newly developed based on the quantification of squatting motion on muscular improvement of the patients who had anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. First, squatting motion was quantified in two patients after ACL reconstruction as a model analysis, and their peak torques for knee extension during squatting were measured. Based on the data obtained, closed kinetic chain exercises mainly consisting of squatting exercise (CKC ex.) were properly applied as a part of the treatment programs. Muscular improvement was compared between 17 patients performing CKC ex, and 11 patients who had underwent the conventional open kinetic chain exercise program mainly consisting of isokinetic exercise (OKC ex.). Patients receiving CKC ex. showed significant muscular improvement in both injured and uninjured sides in both extension and flexion torques, and those receiving OKC ex. exhibited no significant muscular improvement in extension torque of injured side. These results suggest the effectiveness of newly developed exercise program mainly consisting of closed kinetic chain exercise.
