EFFECTS OF ADDITIONAL TRAINING WITH SINGLE LEG HAMSTRING BRIDGE ON THIGH MUSCLES STRENGTH, AND KNEE JOINT KINEMATICS DURING RUNNING IN ATHLETES AFTER ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION
Keywords:
ACL reconstruction, Thigh muscle, Training, Knee kinematicsAbstract
Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is essential for athletes recovering from ACL injuries,yet many face challenges in regaining pre-injury performance due to persistent muscle imbalances and altered knee biomechanics. Objective: To examine the effects of incorporating Single-Leg Hamstring Bridge (SLHB)exercises into standard ACLR rehabilitation protocols, focusing on hamstring strength and knee joint kinematics during running. Methodology: Eight male athletes (mean age 23.4 ± 3.1 years) who had undergone ACLR with hamstring tendon autografts were randomly assigned to a control group (standard rehabilitation only) or an intervention group (standard rehabilitation + SLHB) for six weeks. Hamstring strength was measured via isokinetic peak torque at 60°/sec, and knee kinematics, such as knee angle at foot strike, were recorded during treadmill running at 3.35 m/s. Results: The IG shows significant improvement in knee flexion peak torque of the uninvolved leg (p = 0.016) post-intervention, and knee angle at the foot strike of the uninvolved leg (p = 0.037) compared to the CG.
Conclusion: Adding SLHB to standard ACLR rehabilitation significantly enhanced hamstring strength in the uninvolved limb and improved knee positioning at foot strike, suggesting better dynamic knee stability and lower-limb function. However, because strength gains were confined to the uninvolved leg, conclusions about benefits for the operated limb remain tentative. SLHB may improve gait mechanics during ACLR rehabilitation; however, further studies with larger samples and longer follow-up are needed to confirm its effects on the surgical limb and long-term return-to-sport outcomes.
(Journal of Sports Science and Technology 2025; 25(1) 36-53)
(Received: 30 March 2025, Revised: 5 June 2025, Accepted: 12 June 2025)
Corresponding author: Nongnapas CHAROENPANICH
Faculty of sport science, Chulalongkorn University, THAILAND
Email: Nongnapas.c@chula.ac.th
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