Accuracy of predicting maximal quadriceps force from submaximal effort contractions after anterior cruciate ligament injury

Weakness and failure of voluntary activation of the quadriceps femoris muscles often occur after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture. Side-to-side strength comparisons are used as a measure of progress, and are inaccurate if the quadriceps has activation failure. Burst superimposition testing is commonly used to assess quadriceps strength and activation during a maximal volitional isometric contraction (MVIC), using the central activation ratio (CAR) calculation. A recently developed mathematical model predicts the MVIC from submaximal efforts. The purpose of this study was to compare the CAR calculation to the mathematical model. We hypothesized that the model would be a more accurate predictor of strength than the CAR calculation when voluntary activation failure is present. Data from the involved and uninvolved quadriceps muscles of 100 consecutive subjects with complete, isolated ACL rupture were retrospectively evaluated. Subjects who required multiple trials to produce an MVIC with full activation (true MVIC) were used to compare the CAR calculation, the mathematical model, and this true MVIC. Subjects unable to produce a true MVIC with multiple trials were used to compare the mathematical model to the CAR calculation. Results demonstrate that both methods reliably and accurately estimate the quadriceps weakness associated with ACL rupture. We recommend use of the CAR calculation to provide estimations of true quadriceps strength to facilitate clinical decisions about progress in rehabilitation after ACL rupture.