Introduction: The aim of this case study was to evaluate the effects of ischemic exercise training on quadriceps muscle size and performance after arthroscopic knee surgery. Methods: The patient, a 29-year old male, attended 4- weeks’ program of ischemic exercise 15 days after arthroscopic partial meniscectomy. The thigh circumference, single leg squat test, maximal volitional isometric contraction torque and isotonic endurance of knee extensors were assessed before and after the training program. Results: Most of the measured variables significantly improved after the program. Thigh circumference, maximal isometric torque and isotonic endurance increased by 3.4 cm, 16% and 17%, respectively. This was paralleled with increases in EMG amplitude by 20%, muscle oxygen consumption by 13% and total muscle perfusion by 20%. Conclusion: Low-resistance ischemic exercise has clinically significant effect on the improvement of knee-extensor muscle size, strength and endurance in the early phase after arthroscopic knee meniscectomy. Safety and efficiency of ischemic exercise need to be evaluated in larger population.
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