Article

Anterior cruciate ligament rupture is the most common knee ligament
injury sustained by active individuals, and the relative injury risk is
sex-specific. Women not only demonstrate an increased risk for injury, but also a
poorer response following ligament rupture. Perturbation training has shown
positive results in healthy females, but gender-specific responses to training
after injury have not been evaluated. The purpose of this investigation was to
describe the effects of perturbation training on the gait characteristics of male
and female non-copers.
METHODS: Biomechanical data were collected before and
after training on 12 male and nine female non-copers using standard motion
analysis techniques. Subjects walked at a consistent, self-selected speed over an
embedded force plate. Data from both limbs were post-processed and analyzed using
a mixed model analysis of variance and minimal clinically important differences
to compare the limb behaviors of men and women. FINDINGS: Prior to training, only
women demonstrated significant hip joint excursion asymmetry (ES=1.03; P=0.009).
Minimal clinically important difference values showed that the involved limb of
the women had reduced hip and knee flexion angles and moments, truncated knee
excursions, and increased hip excursions when compared to their own uninvolved
limb and the limbs of the male non-copers. Following training, only knee extensor
moment values exceeded the minimal clinically important differences in women.
INTERPRETATION: Female non-copers demonstrated unique movement strategies
following injury and perturbation training. Women may be a meaningful subgroup of
non-copers, and future investigations should consider the effects of gender in
the outcomes of non-copers.
CI - Copyright (c) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS