ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Neuromuscular and biomechanical characteristic changes in high school athletes: a plyometric versus basic resistance program

S M Lephart, J P Abt, C M Ferris, T C Sell, T Nagai, J B Myers, J J Irrgang

Neuromuscular Research Laboratory, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Dr Scott M Lephart
Neuromuscular Research Laboratory, UPMC Center for Sports Medicine, 3200 South Water Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203, USA; lephart{at}pitt.edu

Background: In order to improve neuromuscular and biomechanical characteristic deficits in female athletes, numerous injury prevention programs have been developed and have successfully reduced the number of knee ligament injuries. However, few have investigated the neuromuscular and biomechanical changes following these training programs. It is also largely unknown what type of program is better for improving the landing mechanics of female athletes.

Objectives: To investigate the effects of an 8 week plyometric and basic resistance training program on neuromuscular and biomechanical characteristics in female athletes.

Methods: Twenty seven high school female athletes participated either in a plyometric or a basic resistance training program. Knee and hip strength, landing mechanics, and muscle activity were recorded before and after the intervention programs. In the jump-landing task, subjects jumped as high as they could and landed on both feet. Electromyography (EMG) peak activation time and integrated EMG of thigh and hip muscles were recorded prior to (preactive) and subsequent to (reactive) foot contact.

Results: Both groups improved knee extensor isokinetic strength and increased initial and peak knee and hip flexion, and time to peak knee flexion during the task. The peak preactive EMG of the gluteus medius and integrated EMG for the gluteus medius during the preactive and reactive time periods were significantly greater for both groups.

Conclusions: Basic training alone induced favourable neuromuscular and biomechanical changes in high school female athletes. The plyometric program may further be utilised to improve muscular activation patterns.

Abbreviations: ACL, anterior cruciate ligament; EMG, electromyography; MIVC, maximal voluntary isometric contraction; vGRF, vertical ground reaction forces

Keywords: female ACL; injury prevention; plyometric

CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Herman, D. C., Onate, J. A., Weinhold, P. S., Guskiewicz, K. M., Garrett, W. E., Yu, B., Padua, D. A. (2009). The Effects of Feedback With and Without Strength Training on Lower Extremity Biomechanics. Am J Sports Med 37: 1301-1308 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Dahab, K. S., McCambridge, T. M. (2009). Strength Training in Children and Adolescents: Raising the Bar for Young Athletes?. Sports Health: A Multidisciplinary Approach 1: 223-226 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Padua, D. A., DiStefano, L. J. (2009). Sagittal Plane Knee Biomechanics and Vertical Ground Reaction Forces Are Modified Following ACL Injury Prevention Programs: A Systematic Review. Sports Health: A Multidisciplinary Approach 1: 165-173 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Nichols, A W (2008). Sports medicine clinical trial research publications in academic medical journals between 1996 and 2005: an audit of the PubMed MEDLINE database. Br. J. Sports. Med. 42: 909-912 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Herman, D. C., Weinhold, P. S., Guskiewicz, K. M., Garrett, W. E., Yu, B., Padua, D. A. (2008). The Effects of Strength Training on the Lower Extremity Biomechanics of Female Recreational Athletes During a Stop-Jump Task. Am J Sports Med 36: 733-740 [Abstract] [Full Text]