Abstract
BackgroundLumbopelvic control (LPC) has recently been associated with function, kinesiology, and load distribution on the limb. However, poor LPC has not been studied as a risk factor for lower limb injury in sports requiring frequent jump landings. The present study investigated the effects of LPC on landing mechanics and lower limb muscle activity in professional athletes engaged in sport requiring frequent landing.MethodsThis study was conducted on 34 professional female athletes aged 18.29 ± 3.29 years with the height and body mass of 173.5 ± 7.23 cm and 66.79 ± 13.37 kg, respectively. The landing error scoring system (LESS) and ImageJ software were used to assess landing mechanics. Wireless electromyography was also used to record the activity of the gluteus medius (GMed), rectus femoris, and semitendinosus. Lumbopelvic control was evaluated using the knee lift abdominal test, bent knee fall-out, active straight leg raising, and the PRONE test using a pressure biofeedback unit. Based on the LPC tests results, the participants were divided into two groups of proper LPC (n = 17) and poor LPC (n = 17).ResultsThere were significant differences between the groups with proper and poor LPC in terms of the LESS test scores (P = 0.0001), lateral trunk flexion (P = 0.0001), knee abduction (P = 0.0001), knee flexion (P = 0.001), trunk flexion (P = 0.01), and GMed muscle activity (P = 0.03). There were no significant differences in the activity of the rectus femoris and semitendinosus muscles, and ankle dorsiflexion (P > 0.05).ConclusionsPoor lumbopelvic control affects the kinematics and activity of the lower limb muscles, and may be a risk factor for lower limb injuries, especially of the knee.
Highlights
Lumbopelvic control (LPC) has recently been associated with function, kinesiology, and load distribution on the limb
In the sports involving frequent jump-landing skills, the lower limb is injured in approximately 60% of the cases [4]: 45–86% of acute knee and ankle injuries in basketball and volleyball [5] and 70% of anterior cruciate
Landing kinematics The analysis of knee abduction indicated a significant difference between the subjects with proper and poor LPC (t32 = − 5.45; 95% confidence interval (CI) − 19.07 to 8.66; P = 0.0001; effect size (ES) = 0.48)
Summary
Lumbopelvic control (LPC) has recently been associated with function, kinesiology, and load distribution on the limb. Poor LPC has not been studied as a risk factor for lower limb injury in sports requiring frequent jump landings. The present study investigated the effects of LPC on landing mechanics and lower limb muscle activity in professional athletes engaged in sport requiring frequent landing. In the sports involving frequent jump-landing skills, the lower limb is injured in approximately 60% of the cases [4]: 45–86% of acute knee and ankle injuries in basketball and volleyball [5] and 70% of anterior cruciate. The most important risk factors for these injuries include excessive knee valgus, lateral movements of the trunk, poor pelvic stability [3, 7], and landing from a jump, which is a common sports manoeuvre and is reported in non-contact ACL injuries [8]. Core stability in lower limb function has been reported to be effective in this regard, with weakness in this area a predictor of the occurrence of lower limb injuries [11]
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