Muscular co-contraction and control of knee stability

Hirokawa, Shunji; Solomonow, Moshe; Luo, Zong‐Ping; Lu, Yun; D’Ambrosia, Robert

doi:10.1016/1050-6411(91)90035-4

Cited by 177 publications

(95 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…However, this mechanism could be possibly hindered if hamstrings muscular performance is not operating at optimum capacity [27]. Our co-contraction findings may suggest unique strategies in preserving knee joint stability with VDLs as well as complement previous research studies [16,27,40] investigating similar variables. Hence, our results possibly indicate the potential capacity of quadriceps and hamstrings musculature to act collectively in protecting the intra-articular ISGA from excessive and extreme loads during landing.…”

Section: Biomechanical Analysessupporting

confidence: 74%

“…Therefore, our results emphasize the importance of hamstrings strength and conditioning training, which may supplement the musculature's passive tone as well as cocontraction force [5]. Augmenting hamstrings muscular performance may enhance its synergistic role to the ACL and intra-articular graft [16,27]. This may aid in efficiently moderating ATSFs and knee joint rotary instability during functional tasks such as landing [27,37].…”

Section: Strength and Endurance Measurementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Neuromuscular and biomechanical landing performance subsequent to ipsilateral semitendinosus and gracilis autograft anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Vairo

Myers

Sell

et al. 2007

Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthr

102

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The hamstrings musculature is a vital component of an intricate dynamic knee joint restraint mechanism. However, there is evidence based on research studies suggesting potential deficits to this complex mechanism due to donor site morbidity resulting from harvest of the ipsilateral semitendinosus and gracilis autograft (ISGA) for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). The purpose of this retrospective research study was to investigate the effects of ISGA ACLR on neuromuscular and biomechanical performance during a single-leg vertical drop landing (VDL), a functional task and associated mechanism of anterior cruciate ligament disruption during physical activity. Fourteen physically active participants 22.5 +/- 4.1 years of age and 21.4 +/- 10.7 months post ISGA ACLR underwent bilateral neuromuscular, biomechanical and isokinetic strength and endurance evaluations matched to 14 control participants by sex, age, height and mass. Kinetic and kinematic data was obtained with 3-D motion analyses utilizing inverse dynamics while performing single-leg VDLs from a height of 30 cm. Integrated surface electromyography (SEMG) assessments of the quadriceps, hamstrings and gastrocnemius musculature were also conducted. Additionally, knee joint flexion strength (60 degrees s(-1)) and endurance (240 degrees s(-1)) measurements were tested via isokinetic dynamometry. No significant differences existed in hip and net summated extensor moments within or between groups. The ISGA ACLR participants recorded significantly decreased peak vertical ground reaction force (VGRF) landing upon the involved lower extremity compared to uninvolved (P = 0.028) and matched (P < 0.0001) controls. Participants having undergone ISGA ACLR also displayed greater peak hip joint flexion angles landing upon the involved lower extremity compared to uninvolved (P = 0.020) and matched (P = 0.026) controls at initial ground contact. The ISGA ACLR group furthermore exhibited increased peak hip joint flexion angles landing upon the involved lower extremity compared to uninvolved (P = 0.019) and matched (P = 0.007) controls at peak VGRF. Moreover, ISGA ALCR participants demonstrated greater peak knee (P = 0.005) and ankle (P = 0.017) joint flexion angles when landing upon the involved lower extremity compared to the matched control at peak VGRF. The ISGA ACLR group produced significantly greater reactive muscle activation of the vastus medialis (P = 0.013), vastus lateralis (P = 0.008) and medial hamstrings (P = 0.024) in the involved lower extremity compared to the matched control. The ISGA ACLR participants also exhibited greater preparatory (P = 0.033) and reactive (P = 0.022) co-contraction muscle activity of the quadriceps and hamstrings landing upon the involved lower extremity compared to the matched control. In addition, the ISGA ACLR group produced significantly less preparatory (P = 0.005) and reactive (P = 0.010) muscle activation of the gastrocnemius in the involved lower extremity compared to the uninvolved control. No significant differe...

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Section: Biomechanical Analysessupporting

confidence: 74%

Section: Strength and Endurance Measurementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neuromuscular and biomechanical landing performance subsequent to ipsilateral semitendinosus and gracilis autograft anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Vairo

Myers

Sell

et al. 2007

Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthr

102

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Hirokawa et al 30 indicated that adequate knee flexion angles are required for hamstrings activation to prevent excessive anterior tibial translation. Consequently, our agility training exercises required participants to maintain a flexed position at the hips, knees, and ankles.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thigh Muscle Activity, Knee Motion, and Impact Force During Side-Step Pivoting in Agility-Trained Female Basketball Players

Wilderman

Ross

Padua

2009

Journal of Athletic Training

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Context: Improving neuromuscular control of hamstrings muscles might have implications for decreasing anterior cruciate ligament injuries in females.Objective: To examine the effects of a 6-week agility training program on quadriceps and hamstrings muscle activation, knee flexion angles, and peak vertical ground reaction force.Design: Prospective, randomized clinical research trial. Setting: Sports medicine research laboratory.Patients or Other Participants: Thirty female intramural basketball players with no history of knee injury (age 5 21.07 6 2.82 years, height 5 171.27 6 4.66 cm, mass 5 66.36 6 7.41 kg).Intervention(s): Participants were assigned to an agility training group or a control group that did not participate in agility training. Participants in the agility training group trained 4 times per week for 6 weeks.Main Outcome Measure(s): We used surface electromyography to assess muscle activation for the rectus femoris, vastus medialis oblique, medial hamstrings, and lateral hamstrings for 50 milliseconds before initial ground contact and while the foot was in contact with the ground during a side-step pivot maneuver. Knee flexion angles (at initial ground contact, maximum knee flexion, knee flexion displacement) and peak vertical ground reaction force also were assessed during this maneuver.Results: Participants in the training group increased medial hamstrings activation during ground contact after the 6-week agility training program. Both groups decreased their vastus medialis oblique muscle activation during ground contact. Knee flexion angles and peak vertical ground reaction force did not change for either group.Conclusions: Agility training improved medial hamstrings activity in female intramural basketball players during a sidestep pivot maneuver. Agility training that improves hamstrings activity might have implications for reducing anterior cruciate ligament sprain injury associated with side-step pivots.Key Words: anterior cruciate ligament, injury prevention, knee sprains Key Points N The agility training program increased medial hamstrings activation during the loading phase of the side-step pivot maneuver, but it did not affect lateral hamstrings, vastus medialis oblique, or rectus femoris activation.N Knee flexion kinematics and normalized peak vertical ground reaction force did not change from pretest to posttest, suggesting that the increased medial hamstrings activation in the training group was not influenced by kinematics or peak vertical ground reaction forces.

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“…30 The increased knee-flexion and hip-flexion angles during landing protect the knee via hamstrings tension. 31,32 To date, investigations on the effect of plyometric training have emphasized functional performance 28,29 or preventing anterior cruciate ligament injuries. 33,34 Data on the feasibility and effectiveness of plyometric training in those with FAI are very limited.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Lower Extremity Biomechanics in Athletes With Ankle Instability After a 6-Week Integrated Training Program

Huang

Chen

Lin

et al. 2014

Journal of Athletic Training

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Context: Plyometric exercise has been recommended to prevent lower limb injury, but its feasibility in and effects on those with functional ankle instability (FAI) are unclear.Objective: To investigate the effect of integrated plyometric and balance training in participants with FAI during a singlelegged drop landing and single-legged standing position.Design: Randomized controlled clinical trial. Setting: University motion-analysis laboratory.Patients or Other Participants: Thirty athletes with FAI were divided into 3 groups: plyometric group (8 men, 2 women, age ¼ 23.20 6 2.82 years; 10 unstable ankles), plyometricbalance (integrated)-training group (8 men, 2 women, age ¼ 23.80 6 4.13 years; 10 unstable ankles), and control group (7 men, 3 women, age ¼ 23.50 6 3.00 years; 10 unstable ankles).Intervention(s): A 6-week plyometric-training program versus a 6-week integrated-training program.Main Outcome Measure(s): Postural sway during singlelegged standing with eyes open and closed was measured before and after training. Kinematic data were recorded during medial and lateral single-legged drop landings after a 5-second single-legged stance.Results: Reduced postural sway in the medial-lateral direction and reduced sway area occurred in the plyometricand integrated-training groups. Generally, the plyometric training and integrated training increased the maximum angles at the hip and knee in the sagittal plane, reduced the maximum angles at the hip and ankle in the frontal and transverse planes in the lateral drop landing, and reduced the time to stabilization for knee flexion in the medial drop landing.Conclusions: After 6 weeks of plyometric training or integrated training, individuals with FAI used a softer landing strategy during drop landings and decreased their postural sway during the single-legged stance. Plyometric training improved static and dynamic postural control and should be incorporated into rehabilitation programs for those with FAI.Key Words: plyometric training, balance training, landings, ankle injuries Key PointsAfter 6 weeks of isolated plyometric or combined plyometric and balance training, people with functional ankle instability demonstrated increased lower extremity maximal sagittal-plane angles and decreased maximal frontalplane and transverse-plane angles on ground contact. Static and dynamic postural control improved with plyometric training, which should be included in rehabilitation programs for patients with functional ankle instability.

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Muscular co-contraction and control of knee stability

Cited by 177 publications

References 13 publications

Neuromuscular and biomechanical landing performance subsequent to ipsilateral semitendinosus and gracilis autograft anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Neuromuscular and biomechanical landing performance subsequent to ipsilateral semitendinosus and gracilis autograft anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Thigh Muscle Activity, Knee Motion, and Impact Force During Side-Step Pivoting in Agility-Trained Female Basketball Players

Lower Extremity Biomechanics in Athletes With Ankle Instability After a 6-Week Integrated Training Program

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