Fatigue-induced Landing Alterations in ACL Reconstructed Athletes after Return-to-Sport
Int J Sports Med DOI: 10.1055/a-2108-5219At the time of return-to-sport, anterior cruciate ligament reconstructed athletes
still show altered neuromechanics in their injured leg during single leg hopping
tasks. Part of these alterations can be magnified when these athletes are
fatigued. So far, little is known whether fatigue-induced landing alterations
persist after return-to-sport. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate
whether these alterations persist in the six months following return-to-sport.
Sixteen anterior cruciate ligament reconstructed athletes performed five
unilateral hop tasks before and after a fatigue protocol. The hop tasks were
executed at three different time points (return-to-sport, 3 and 6 months
post-return-to-sport). A 2-by-3 repeated measures ANOVA was performed to
evaluate whether fatigue-induced landing alterations persisted 3 and 6 months
following return-to-sport. At 6 months following return-to-sport, fatigue still
induces a reduction in hamstring medialis activation and an increase in the knee
abduction moment during a vertical hop with 90-degree inward rotation. Most
fatigue-induced landing alterations present at the time of return-to-sport
normalize after resumption of sports activities. However, a larger knee
abduction moment in the injured leg after resumption of sports acti...
Source: International Journal of Sports Medicine - Category: Sports Medicine Authors: Willems, Miel Gilson, Laurens Verschueren, Sabine Vanrenterghem, Jos Staes, Filip Vandenneucker, Hilde Claes, Steven Smeets, Annemie Tags: Orthopedics & Biomechanics Source Type: research