Objective
To compare landing mechanics and neuromuscular recruitment strategies between women with semitendinosus-gracilis anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (SG-ACLr) and non-injured women during double and single-legged drop jumps.
Design
Cross-sectional biomechanical study
Setting
Single university-based biomechanics laboratory
Participants
Fourteen women 1–5 years post SG-ACLr and 16 non-injured women participated in this study.
Methods
After anthropometric measurements, warm-up, and familiarization procedures, participants performed five trials of a double and single-legged drop jumps.
Main Outcome Measurements
Dynamic knee valgus was measured as the distance between knee joints during the landing phase of the double-leg drop jumps. Medial knee displacement was the outcome considered during the landing phase of the single-leg drop jumps. For both drop jumps tasks neuromuscular recruitment was evaluated through rectified normalized electromyography (EMG) activity of the quadriceps and hamstrings (amplitude and latency), and quadriceps/hamstrings EMG co-contraction ratio.
Results
Although the SG- ACLr group demonstrated a tendency towards a greater dynamic knee valgus during both drop jumps, these differences did not reach statistical significance. EMG data revealed different neuromuscular strategies for each group depending on the specific jump.
Conclusions
These findings suggest that women with SG-ACLr have a tendency towards greater dynamic knee valgus which could predispose to additional knee injuries. Rehabilitation specialists need to be aware of existing kinematic and neuromuscular deficiencies years after SG-ACLr. Taking this into consideration will aid in prescribing appropriate interventions designed to prevent re-injury.