Gopal Nambi, Walid Kamal Abdelbasset, Saud M. Alrawaili, Tamer E. Elnegamy, Ahmed M. Abodonya, Ayman K. Saleh, Anju Verma
Department of Health and Rehabilitation sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj, Saudi Arabia. E-mail: physio_gopal@rediffmail.com
DOI: 10.2340/16501977-2732

Objective: To determine the effects of isokinetic training of the knee muscles on bone morphogenetic proteins and inflammatory biomarkers in post-traumatic osteoarthritis after anterior cruciate ligament injury in university football players.
Methods: A total of 60 participants with post-traumatic osteoarthritis after anterior cruciate ligament injury were randomly allocated into 3 groups: isokinetic training (n = 20), sensory motor training (n = 20) and control (n = 20) groups. The groups under-went different training programmes for 4 weeks. Clinical and biochemical values were measured at baseline, 4-week, 8-week and 6-month follow-ups.
Results: At the end of the 4 week training period the isokinetic group showed more significant changes in pain intensity and functional disability than the sensory motor training or control groups (p < 0. 001). There was no significant changes in bone morphogenic protein measures, (e. g. bone morphogenic proteins 2, 4, 6, and 7) in any of the groups. There was positive changes in inflammatory markers (CRP, TNF-α, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6) in the isokinetic training group compared with the other 2 groups (p < 0. 001).
Conclusion: Isokinetic training results in greater improvements in pain and functional disability than sensory motor training in post-traumatic osteoarthritis after anterior cruciate ligament injury in university football players. The isokinetic training programme had a beneficial effect on levels of inflammatory biomarkers and negligible effect on bone morphogenic proteins.

Recent research has shown that conventional training in footboll players with post-traumatic osteoarthritis improves pain, functional activity, cartilage morphology and inflammatory reactions. However, little is known about the effect and mechanism of isokinetic training on bone morphogenic proteins (BMP) (BMP 2, 4, 6, and 7) and inflammatory markers ((C-reactive protein (CRP), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and interleukins (IL)-2, IL-4, and IL-6)) in post-traumatic osteoarthritis after anterior cruciate ligament injury. Comprehensive understanding of the effects of isokinetic training on the relationship between biomechanical and biochemical changes would promote this clinical condition in a positive way. Hence, these type of training protocols would modify the risk and reduce the negitive consequences of anterior cruciate ligament injury.