The effect of fatigue on knee muscles co-contraction and functional performance in the athletes with the history of anterior cruciate ligament rupture

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of motor behavior and sports biomechanics, faculty of physical education and sports sciences, University of Mazandaran

2 ِDepartment of sports medicine and health, faculty of physical education and sports sciences

3 Department of sports medicine and health-faculty of physical education and sports sciences-University of Tehran

4 Neuromusculoskeletal research center, Iran University of Medical Sciences

Abstract

Background and aim: As athletes returning to activity after anterior cruciate ligament injury likely experience fatigue, understanding how fatigue affects neuromuscular control and functional performance has the clinical importance. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of fatigue on knee muscles co-contraction and functional performance of the athletes with the history of anterior cruciate ligament rupture.
Materials and Methods: Thirty six athletes including 12 individuals with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), 12 individuals with the anterior cruciate ligament rupture without reconstruction (ACLD) and 12 controls were recruited to participate in the study. Quadriceps to hamstrings, quadriceps to gastrocnemius co-contraction and functional performance were measured before and after fatigue.
Results: Lateral quadriceps to gastrocnemius co-contraction was significantly lower in ACL injured groups compared to controls. Also, functional performance in single leg hop test significantly decreased in ACL injured groups post fatigue.
Conclusion: It seems that quadriceps and gastrocnemius muscle co-contraction have important role in establishing knee joint stability, so these two muscles should be more considered in rehabilitation exercises. Also, for a more comprehensive evaluation of lower extremity function after ACL injury, it is therefore suggested that functional testing should be performed both under non-fatigued and fatigued test conditions.

Keywords

References

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