Longitudinal Changes in Hip Strength and Range of Motion in Female Youth Soccer Players: Implications for ACL Injury, A Pilot Study.

Context: Risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in young female athletes increases with age, appearing to peak during maturation. Changes in hip muscle strength and range of motion (ROM) during this time may contribute to altered dynamic movement patterns that are known to increase risk of ACL injuries. Understanding the longitudinal changes in hip strength and ROM is needed to develop appropriate interventions to reduce the risk of ACL injuries.

Sustained Improvements in Dynamic Balance and Landing Mechanics After a 6-Week Neuromuscular Training Program in College Women's Basketball Players.

Context: Epidemiological data demonstrate the need for lower-extremity injury-prevention training. Neuromuscular-control (NMC) programs are immediately effective at minimizing lower-extremity injury risk and improving sport-related performance measures. Research investigating lasting effects after an injury-prevention program is limited.

Different modes of feedback and peak vertical ground reaction force during jump landing: a systematic review.

Context: Excessive ground reaction force when landing from a jump may result in lower extremity injuries. It is important to better understand how feedback can influence ground reaction force (GRF) and potentially reduce injury risk.

Objective: To determine the effect of expert-provided (EP), self-analysis (SA), and combination EP and SA (combo) feedback on reducing peak vertical GRF during a jump-landing task.

Different exercise training interventions and drop-landing biomechanics in high school female athletes.

Context: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are common in female athletes and are related to poor neuromuscular control. Comprehensive neuromuscular training has been shown to improve biomechanics; however, we do not know which component of neuromuscular training is most responsible for the changes.

Objective: To assess the efficacy of either a 4-week core stability program or plyometric program in altering lower extremity and trunk biomechanics during a drop vertical jump (DVJ).

Effects of chronic ankle instability on energy dissipation in the lower extremity.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the influence of chronic ankle instability (CAI) on lower extremity joint energy dissipation patterns during a stop-jump task.

Methods: Nineteen participants with self-reported CAI and 19 healthy control participants volunteered. Participants performed five double-leg vertical stop-jump tasks onto a force plate.

Relationship between gluteal muscle strength, corticospinal excitability, and jump-landing biomechanics in healthy women.

Context: Components of gluteal neuromuscular function, such as strength and corticospinal excitability, could potentially influence alterations in lower extremity biomechanics during jump landing.

Objective: To determine the relationship between gluteal muscle strength, gluteal corticospinal excitability, and jump-landing biomechanics in healthy women.

Setting: University laboratory.

Intrarater reliability of the functional movement screen.

The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) is a tool that quantifies movement patterns as a way to detect performance asymmetries. Although previous study has investigated the reliability of FMS, no current research has examined intrarater reliability or how clinical experience plays a role in the reliability of this tool. In this controlled laboratory study design, repeated measures were used to investigate how experience using the FMS and clinical experience as an athletic trainer (AT) affects the intrarater reliability of FMS testing.

Inter-limb differences in quadriceps strength and volitional activation.

In this crossover study, we wished to determine if normalized inter-limb differences in strength differed from inter-limb differences in voluntary activation at 30°, 70°, and 90° of knee flexion. We also assessed the relationship between inter-limb differences in torque with the inter-limb differences in activation. Twenty-five healthy volunteers were used for final data analyses; the order of leg tested, joint angle, and measurement technique (isokinetic strength, voluntary activation) were randomly assigned.

Effects of arthroscopic partial meniscectomy on quadriceps strength: a systematic review.

Context: Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM) after meniscal tear has been widely accepted and associated with quick return to activity. Unfortunately, meniscectomy is associated with risk for knee osteoarthritis, which may be attributed to postsurgical quadriceps weakness. This has important implications, as the quadriceps play a prominent role in knee stabilization and energy attenuation in the lower extremity.

Neuromuscular changes after aerobic exercise in people with anterior cruciate ligament-reconstructed knees.

Context: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions are common, especially in young, active people. The lower extremity neuromuscular adaptations seen after aerobic exercise provide information about how previously injured patients perform and highlight deficits and, hence, areas for focused treatment. Little information is available about neuromuscular performance after aerobic exercise in people with ACL reconstructions.