The effect of neuromuscular exercise in the late period after anterior cruciate ligament surgery on landing error scoring system, isokinetic knee strength and knee functions

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of neuromuscular exercise programme on LESS score, isokinetic knee strength, kinesiophobia, knee function scores, balance, proprioception and horizontal/vertical jump parameters in the late period after ACL surgery and to develop a new injury prevention exercise programme. The participants were tested twice before and after the protocol and between the tests they were subjected to a neuromuscular exercise programme for a total of 6 weeks and 18 sessions. Before the protocol, demographic information was recorded, bilateral lower extremity lengths were measured with a tape measure, knee Q angle values and lower extremity ROM values were measured with a goniometer, and the participants completed the Tegner Activity Scale. Afterwards, the LKSS and TSK-17 were completed in a face-to-face environment before and after the protocol, LESS, knee strength and active/passive proprioception tests with isokinetic dynamometer, vertical jump height, lower extremity Y balance test, single leg and cross-over horizontal jump distance measurements were performed. The study was completed with 19 male participants aged 18-50 years. The mean height was 176.05±7.24 cm, body weight 78.42±11.55 kg, BMI 25.18±2.33 kg/m2, post-operative time 22 (13-42) months, time from injury to operation 7 (2-24) months, post-operative professional rehabilitation time 41.05±25.30 days and Tegner Activity Scale score 5.32±1.2. The post-protocol value was found to be statistically significantly more fit than the pre-protocol values in all parameters except the knee flexion strength/extension strength ratio (operated extremity p=0.936 and non-operated extremity p=0.304) measured with isokinetic dynamometer. As a result of the study, it was revealed that the neuromuscular exercise protocol applied for 6 weeks in the late period after ACLR is a method that can be used to adapt the parameters examined in the study.