Quad sets or quads sets are knee rehabilitation exercises to keep the quadriceps (quads) muscles from becoming inhibited after injury or surgery.
Page updated November 2023 by Dr Sheila Strover (Clinical Editor)
Positioning for quad sets exercises. Contract the quads and hold the contraction for 10 seconds, if necessary trying to push the knee down onto the bed.
Bending the knee slightly with a soft towel or foam will help the exercise.
Quads muscle inhibition
Impaired functioning of the quads muscle group is thought to arise from central nervous system alterations that can occur after knee injury as a protective mechanism to prevent further injury.
Quick links
Peer-reviewed papers
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Quote:
"...the finding that effusion leads to quadriceps inhibition during a quadriceps contraction is worth highlighting."
Citation: Palmieri-Smith RM, Villwock M, Downie B, Hecht G, Zernicke R. Pain and effusion and quadriceps activation and strength. J Athl Train. 2013 Mar-Apr;48(2):186-91. doi: 10.4085/1062-6050-48.2.10. Epub 2013 Feb 20. PMID: 23672382; PMCID: PMC3600920.
Relevant material -
eBook - Cornerstones of Early Knee Rehabilitation
Easy to read principles with illustrated exercises. Written by Mr Sebastiano Nutarelli (Physiotherapist). Free to download.