Premium
Lower limb asymmetry in mechanical muscle function: A comparison between ski racers with and without ACL reconstruction
Author(s) -
Jordan M. J.,
Aagaard P.,
Herzog W.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of medicine and science in sports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.575
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1600-0838
pISSN - 0905-7188
DOI - 10.1111/sms.12314
Subject(s) - anterior cruciate ligament , vertical jump , concentric , ground reaction force , medicine , anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction , jump , anatomy , physical medicine and rehabilitation , orthodontics , mathematics , physics , kinematics , geometry , classical mechanics , quantum mechanics
Due to a high incidence of anterior cruciate ligament ( ACL ) re‐injury in alpine ski racers, this study aims to assess functional asymmetry in the countermovement jump ( CMJ ), squat jump ( SJ ), and leg muscle mass in elite ski racers with and without anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction ( ACL ‐ R ). Elite alpine skiers with ACL ‐ R ( n = 9; 26.2 ± 11.8 months post‐op) and uninjured skiers ( n = 9) participated in neuromuscular screening. Vertical ground reaction force during the CMJ and SJ was assessed using dual force plate methodology to obtain phase‐specific bilateral asymmetry indices ( AIs ) for kinetic impulse ( CMJ and SJ phase‐specific kinetic impulse AI ). Dual x‐ray absorptiometry scanning was used to assess asymmetry in lower body muscle mass. Compared with controls, ACL ‐ R skiers had increased AI in muscle mass ( P < 0.001), kinetic impulse AI in the CMJ concentric phase ( P < 0.05), and the final phase of the SJ ( P < 0.05). Positive associations were observed between muscle mass and AI in the CMJ concentric phase ( r = 0.57, P < 0.01) as well as in the late SJ phase ( r = 0.66, P < 0.01). Future research is required to assess the role of the CMJ and SJ phase‐specific kinetic impulse AI as a part of a multifaceted approach for improving outcome following ACL ‐ R in elite ski racers.