Differences in Kinematics and Electromyographic Activity between Men and Women during the Single-Legged Squat

2003 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 449-456 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian L. Zeller ◽  
Jean L. McCrory ◽  
W. Ben Kibler ◽  
Timothy L. Uhl

Background Numerous factors have been identified as potentially increasing the risk of anterior cruciate ligament injury in the female athlete. However, differences between the sexes in lower extremity coordination, particularly hip control, are only minimally understood. Hypothesis There is no difference in kinematic or electromyographic data during the single-legged squat between men and women. Study Design Descriptive comparison study. Methods We kinematically and electromyographically analyzed the single-legged squat in 18 intercollegiate athletes (9 male, 9 female). Subjects performed five single-legged squats on their dominant leg, lowering themselves as far as possible and then returning to a standing position without losing balance. Results Women demonstrated significantly more ankle dorsiflexion, ankle pronation, hip adduction, hip flexion, hip external rotation, and less trunk lateral flexion than men. These factors were associated with a decreased ability of the women to maintain a varus knee position during the squat as compared with the men. Analysis of all eight tested muscles demonstrated that women had greater muscle activation compared with men. When each muscle was analyzed separately, the rectus femoris muscle activation was found to be statistically greater in women in both the area under the linear envelope and maximal activation data. Conclusions Under a physiologic load in a position commonly assumed in sports, women tend to position their entire lower extremity and activate muscles in a manner that could increase strain on the anterior cruciate ligament.

2016 ◽  
Vol 51 (12) ◽  
pp. 1003-1012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ram Haddas ◽  
Troy Hooper ◽  
C. Roger James ◽  
Phillip S. Sizer

Context:Volitional preemptive abdominal contraction (VPAC) during dynamic activities may alter trunk motion, but the role of the core musculature in positioning the trunk during landing tasks is unclear.Objective:To determine whether volitional core-muscle activation incorporated during a drop vertical jump alters lower extremity kinematics and kinetics, as well as trunk and lower extremity muscle activity at different landing heights.Design:Controlled laboratory study.Setting:Clinical biomechanics laboratory.Patients or Other Participants:Thirty-two young healthy adults, consisting of 17 men (age = 25.24 ± 2.88 years, height = 1.85 ± 0.06 m, mass = 89.68 ± 16.80 kg) and 15 women (age = 23.93 ± 1.33 years, height = 1.67 ± 0.08 m, mass = 89.68 ± 5.28 kg).Intervention(s):Core-muscle activation using VPAC.Main Outcome Measure(s):We collected 3-dimensional ankle, knee, and hip motions, moments, and powers; ground reaction forces; and trunk and lower extremity muscle activity during 0.30- and 0.50-m drop vertical-jump landings.Results:During landing from a 0.30-m height, VPAC performance increased external oblique and semitendinosis activity, knee flexion, and knee internal rotation and decreased knee-abduction moment and knee-energy absorption. During the 0.50-m landing, the VPAC increased external oblique and semitendinosis activity, knee flexion, and hip flexion and decreased ankle inversion and hip-energy absorption.Conclusions:The VPAC performance during landing may protect the anterior cruciate ligament during different landing phases from different heights, creating a protective advantage just before ground contact and after the impact phase. Incorporating VPAC during high injury-risk activities may enhance pelvic stability, improve lower extremity positioning and sensorimotor control, and reduce anterior cruciate ligament injury risk while protecting the lumbar spine.


Neurology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 98 (1 Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. S21.2-S22
Author(s):  
Ryan Moran

ObjectiveTo examine the relationship between the m-CTSIB and Landing Error Scoring System in a sample of collegiate female athletes.BackgroundRecent literature has linked concussion and neuromuscular deficits in the lower extremity after injury. Neuromuscular control is frequently assessed using balance measures for concussion, but also dynamically to identify anterior cruciate ligament injury (ACL) risk via jump-landing movement screening.Design/MethodsThirty-nine healthy, collegiate female soccer (n = 22) and volleyball (n = 17) athletes completed the modified-Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction of Balance (m-CTSIB) and the Landing Error Scoring System (LESS). Measures consisted of total m-CTSIB sway index scores on individual conditions (firm surface eyes open [condition 1] and eyes closed [2], foam surface eyes open [3] and eyes closed [4]), m-CTSIB overall score, and total LESS errors. LESS scores were also categorized into a low (0–4 errors) and high (5 + errors) risk to determine if athletes with worse neuromuscular control on the LESS has worse balance on the m-CTSIB. A Spearman's rank-order correlation was conducted to determine the strength of the relationship between LESS and m-CTSIB performance. A series of Mann-Whitney U test were performed to determine differences between low and high LESS performance on m-CTSIB performance.ResultsThere was a weak, negative correlation between LESS and m-CTSIB performance (rs(37) = −0.153, p = 0.35). Further, there were no differences between the low and high risk LESS groups on sway index scores on conditions 1 (U = 158.5, p = 0.39), 2 (U = 156.0, p = 0.36), 3 (U = 165.5, p = 0.51), or 4 (U = 128.5, p = 0.08), as well as overall m-CTSIB scores (U = 150.5, p = 0.28).ConclusionsThere appears to be a lack of relationship between the LESS and m-CTSIB tests, revealing the independence of static and dynamic lower extremity neuromuscular function. Athletes who may be more at risk for ACL injury due to abnormal jump-landing biomechanics, do not differ from low-risk athletes on baseline balance assessment.


2007 ◽  
Vol 35 (10) ◽  
pp. 1635-1642 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sally B. Mountcastle ◽  
Matthew Posner ◽  
John F. Kragh ◽  
Dean C. Taylor

Background Previous studies have shown that women involved in similar activities as men are at increased risk for anterior cruciate ligament injuries. Hypothesis The incidence rate of complete anterior cruciate ligament tears for men and women in our athletic, college-aged population is similar. Study Design Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods Students graduating in class years 1994 to 2003 at our institution who sustained complete anterior cruciate ligament tears were assessed for mechanism of injury and type of sport played at time of injury. We calculated the incidence proportion, an estimation of risk, by gender and class year, and the incidence proportion ratio comparing men and women by class year. We also calculated incidence rates by gender and type of sport played and incidence rate ratios comparing men and women. Results There were 353 anterior cruciate ligament injuries in the 10 classes studied. We found an overall, 4-year incidence proportion of 3.24 per 100 (95% confidence interval, 2.89-3.63) for men and 3.51 (95% confidence interval, 2.65-4.65) for women (incidence proportion ratio, 1.09 [95% confidence interval, 0.80-1.47]). The overall anterior cruciate ligament injury rate, excluding male-only sports, was significantly greater in women (incidence rate ratio, 1.51 [95% confidence interval, 1.03-2.21]). We found significantly greater injury rates among women in a gymnastics course (incidence rate ratio, 5.67 [95% confidence interval, 1.99-16.16]), indoor obstacle course test (incidence rate ratio, 3.72 [95% confidence interval, 1.25-11.10]), and basketball (incidence rate ratio, 2.42 [95% confidence interval, 1.05-5.59]). Conclusion We found little gender difference in the overall risk of an anterior cruciate ligament tear; however, there were gender differences in injury rates when specific sports and activities were compared and when male-only sports were removed from the overall rate assessment.


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