Neuromuscular control of the lower extremity as a risk factor for anterior cruciate ligament injury in basketball players
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v68.112934Keywords:
anterior cruciate ligament, basketball, biomechanics, dynamic valgus, kneeAbstract
Introduction: The ineffectiveness of neuromuscular control has been considered an important risk factor for injury in sport, as in anterior cruciate ligament injury, also affecting the ability of the subject to correctly develop their sports skills.
Objective: To assess the neuromuscular control of the lower limb in basketball players, since its early identification is of utmost importance to categorize their risk profile for anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Methodology: In this research two gestures that subject the athlete to develop a correct neuromuscular control are proposed: change of direction and deceleration. These evaluations are performed by means of 2D video analysis.
Results: 39 basketball players (15 women and 24 men) between 11 and 18 years of age were evaluated, with the result that a high percentage presented inadequate neuromuscular control, especially in the change of direction gesture, especially in the variables of knee projection angle in the frontal plane and in the relationship of the knee with the ground reaction force.
Discussion: The variables that obtained the highest percentage in the inadequate category are directly related to incidental factors of anterior cruciate ligament injury, since they cause excessive dynamic valgus in the knee.
Conclusion: It is considered a priority to establish periodic evaluations of these factors, as close as possible to the basketball player's reality, in order to establish appropriate prevention plans and thus minimize the risk of injury.
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