Article

Excessive anterior tibial translation is a prospective risk factor
for anterior cruciate ligament injury, thus factors which limit this motion may
reduce injury risk. Stiffness quantifies a muscle's resistance to lengthening,
and stiffer hamstrings may resist changes in length induced by anterior tibial
translation more effectively. METHODS: Anterior tibial translation, hamstring
strength, and hamstring stiffness were assessed in 30 physically active
volunteers. Simple correlations were used to evaluate relationships between
stiffness, strength, and anterior tibial translation.
Anterior tibial translation
data were arranged into high and low groups based on the median value, and
hamstring strength and stiffness were compared between these groups via t-tests.
FINDINGS: Anterior tibial translation was correlated with hamstring stiffness
(r=-0.538; P=0.002), but not with hamstring strength (r=-0.088;
P=0.644).
Hamstring stiffness and strength were not correlated (r=0.054;
P=0.778).
Hamstring stiffness was greater in the low anterior tibial translation group
(t(28)=2.186; P<0.037; ES=0.36), but hamstring strength did not differ between
these groups (t(28)=1.057;
P<0.300; ES=0.17). INTERPRETATION: Greater hamstring
stiffness, but not strength, results in a more stable knee joint evidenced by
less anterior tibial translation. These findings suggest that the hamstrings'
ability to resist lengthening rather than their overall force production capacity
may be an important contributor to anterior cruciate ligament injury risk. As muscle stiffness can be modified acutely and chronically, enhancing hamstring
stiffness may be an important addition to anterior cruciate ligament injury prevention programs.
CI - Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS