The comparative effectiveness of two selected methods of progressive resistance exercises designed to improve knee joint stability

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to determine the most effective rehabilitative apparatus and exercises for subjects who had undergone knee surgery and for those subjects who had sustained knee injury but had no surgery. [Procedure] The investigation used 60 male undergraduate students enrolled in the Required Physical Education Program at Texas A&M University as subjects for the experiment. The subjects were divided into two groups: (1) Those who had knee injury and had corrective surgery and (2) Those who had sustained knee injury but who had not had surgery. Each of these groups was divided into three sub-groups. These groups were: (1) Elgin Exercise Group, (2) Single Boot Group, and (3) Control Group. The Elgin Exercise Group and Single Boot Groups did three sets of ten repetitions each of the prescribed exercises. The Control Group did not engage in any type of rehabilitative exercise program. Leg strength measurements were taken at the beginning of the experiment and at the end of the 3rd, 5th, 8th, 12th, and post test at the end of the 15th week. Leg strength measurements were taken at the following angles or degrees: knees at 90, 125, 135, and 175 degrees extension and knees at 20 degrees flexion. Leg strength was obtained by using the Bender Multi Angle Testing Unit, Number 850. ..