Evaluating the Center of Gravity of Dislocations in Soccer Players With and Without Reconstruction of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament Using a Balance Platform

Abstract

Alonso AC, D'Andréa Greve JM, Camanho GL. Evaluating the center of gravity of dislocations in soccer players with and without reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament using a balance platform. Clinics. 2009;64(3):163-70. OBJECTIVE:The objective of this study was to compare the dislocation of the center of gravity and postural balance in sedentary and recreational soccer players with and without anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using the Biodex Balance System (BBS). METHOD: Sixty-four subjects were divided into three groups: a) soccer players who were post-anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction; b) soccer players with no anterior cruciate ligament injuries; and c) sedentary subjects. The subjects were submitted to functional stability tests using the Biodex Balance System. The instability protocols used were level eight (more stable) and level two (less stable). Three stability indexes were calculated: the anteroposterior stability index, the mediolateral stability index, and the general stability index. RESULTS: Postural balance (dislocation) on the reconstructed side of the athletes was worse than on the side that had not undergone reconstruction. The postural balance of the sedentary group was dislocated less on both sides than the reconstructed knees of the athletes without anterior cruciate ligament injuries. There were no differences in postural balance with relation to left/right dominance for the uninjured athletes and the sedentary individuals. CONCLUSION: The dislocation of the center of gravity and change in postural balance in sedentary individuals and on the operated limb of Surgery Group are less marked than in the soccer players from the Non Surgery Group and on the non-operated limbs. The dislocation of the center of gravity and the change in postural balance from the operated limb of the soccer players is less marked than in their non-operated limbs.

The influence of lower-limb dominance on postural balance

“…[12][13][14] There was no difference between the dominant and nondominant limb at both levels of instability, but at the level of greater instability of the equipment (level 2), the range of motion was greater because of the need for greater postural adjustments in order to maintain balance. 6,17,18 However, these findings are similar to those of Alonso et al, 6 who found that in groups of sedentary individuals and recreational football players, there was no difference between the limbs. In another study by Alonso et al 16 using the same equipment and making the same comparison, but this time on the stability limits among sedentary individuals and judo practitioners, there were no differences between the limbs or in relation to the time taken to achieve effective action in the tests.…”

“…Motor control and dynamic maintenance of balance involve coordinated activity by the muscle kinetic chains. 1,[4][5][6] The dominant limb can be defined on the basis of muscle strength, functional use and personal preference and these parameters may interfere with balance. Limb dominance should be determined according to which leg the individual chooses and relies on to carry out a variety of functional activities, including maintaining balance.…”

The effects of foot morphology and anthropometry on unipodal postural control

“…One of the tasks related to postural control is the ability to maintain an upright, erect position (i.e., to maintain the projection of the center of gravity within a support base defined by the position of the feet). (Alonso, Greve & Camanho, 2009;Alonso et al, 2012) Various anthropometric and morphological characteristics may influence a person's base of support, and thus affecting the static and dynamic balance. Although often neglected in research, these factors must be taken into consideration in order to prevent errors of analysis and/or misinterpretation of the results (Alonso et al, 2012;Cote, Brunet, Gansneder & Shultz, 2005).…”

Assessment ofneuromuscular controlin patients afteranterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

“…Zbli żo ną do za sto so wa nej w ni niej szej pra cy me to do lo gię ba dań, opie ra ją cej się na oce nie rów no wa gi dy na micz nej przed sta wił ze spół Alon zo i wsp. [27]. Do wiódł on obec no ści za bu rzeń kon tro li sta bil no ści po stro nie ope ro wa nej w okre sie na wet 18 mie się cy od za bie gu, po mi mo ko rzy sta nia przez ba da ne oso by z po mo cy wi zu al ne go sprzę że nia zwrot ne go.…”