| Plyometric training alters lower leg electromyography activity patterns in female athletes with dynamic knee valgus |
| Paper ID : 1576-SSRC-13TH |
| Authors |
|
Farzaneh Saki *1, Farzaneh Ramezani1, Tahereh Sohrabi1, Moharam Rozbeh2, Hamid Seifi3 1Department of Corrective Exercises and Sport Injury, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran. 2Acting Deputy Minister of Sports Development of the General Directorate of Sports and Youth of Hamadan Province 3Director General of the General Department of Sports and Youth of Hamadan Province |
| Abstract |
| Introduction: Dynamic knee valgus (DKV) is one of the predisposing factors for non-contact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. A variety of methods have been used in developing ACL injury intervention and prevention training programs. Plyometric training (PT) is a category of explosive body weight resistance exercises which focuses on exploiting the additional force output of the stretch reflex of a muscle to increase speed and power. The use of plyometric training has been demonstrated to be effective in improving lower limb kinematics. Plyometric exercises are not only used for performance gain but as an injury prevention tool. Our purpose was to examine the effects of plyometric training on lower leg muscle activity patterns in female athletes with DKV. Method: Twenty-six female athletes with DKV angle greater than 12 degree were divided into control and experimental groups. The experimental group performed a plyometric training program in a home setting with video-based supervision for 6 weeks, 3 d•wk−1. All subjects attended 2 testing sessions: before the start of training program and after six weeks. Co-contraction and muscle activity patterns of tibialis anterior (TA), peroneus longus (PL), medial gastrocnemius (MG) and lateral gastrocnemius (LG) of the dominant leg were assessed using an electromyography device 100 ms before initial contact during single-leg landing. An analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) test was used for data analysis. Results: A significant preparatory activity was found in the experimental group for TA and MG (p<0.05) but no significant changes in the co-contraction of muscles were detected (p>0.05). Conclusion: Plyometric training alters muscle activity patterns (neuromuscular risk factors) suggesting the incorporation of these exercises in preventive programs for ACL injuries. |
| Keywords |
| ACL injury, dynamic knee valgus, neuromuscular risk factors, plyometric training, prevention. |
| Status: Abstract Accepted (Oral Presentation) |
