REVIEW

A review of electromyographic activation levels, timing differences, and increased anterior cruciate ligament injury incidence in female athletes

T E Hewett¹, B T Zazulak², G D Myer¹, K R Ford¹

¹ Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Sports Medicine Biodynamics Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
² Department of Rehabilitation Services, Yale-New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT, USA

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Dr Hewett
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Sports Medicine Biodynamics Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; tim.hewett{at}cchmc.org

Deficits in dynamic neuromuscular control of the knee may contribute to the higher incidence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in female athletes. There is evidence that neuromuscular training alters muscle firing patterns, as it decreases landing forces, improves balance, and reduces ACL injury incidence in female athletes. The purpose of this review is to summarise the evidence for altered muscular activation and timing relative to ACL injury risk in female athletes.

View larger version (132K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Figure 1  Visual representation of the landing manoeuvre tested in the study. Female (left) and male (right) subjects completing drop landings from 30.5 cm box heights. Patient consent was obtained for the publication of this figure.

 

Abbreviations: ACL, anterior cruciate ligament; EMG, electromyographic

Keywords: anterior cruciate ligament; knee; injury; electromyographic activation; female athletes

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