Biomechanical Deficiencies in Women with Semitendinosus-Gracilis Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction During Drop Jumps

Abstract

To compare landing mechanics and neuromuscular recruitment strategies between women with semitendinosus-gracilis anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (SG-ACLr) and noninjured women during double- and single-legged drop jumps. Cross-sectional biomechanical study. Single university-based biomechanics laboratory. Fourteen women 1-5 years post-SG-ACLr and 16 noninjured women participated in this study. After anthropometric measurements, warm-up, and familiarization procedures, participants performed 5 trials of a double- and single-legged drop jumps. 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 jump tasks, neuromuscular recruitment was evaluated through rectified normalized electromyographic activity of the quadriceps and hamstrings (amplitude and latency), and quadriceps/hamstrings electromyographic co-contraction ratio. Although the SG-ACLr group demonstrated a tendency toward 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. These findings suggest that women with SG-ACLr have a tendency toward greater dynamic knee valgus that 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.