Evaluation of static and dynamic balance in athletes with anterior cruciate ligament injury – A controlled study

Authors

  • Tiago Lazzaretti Fernandes Massachusetts General Hospital; Harvard Medical School; Department of Orthopedic Surgery; Bioengineering Laboratory
  • Ellen Cristina Rodrigues Felix Universidade de São Paulo; Instituto de Ortopedia e Traumatologia; Laboratório de Cinesiologia (LEM)
  • Felipe Bessa Universidade de São Paulo; Instituto de Ortopedia e Traumatologia; Laboratório de Cinesiologia (LEM)
  • Natália MS Luna Universidade de São Paulo; Instituto de Ortopedia e Traumatologia; Laboratório de Cinesiologia (LEM)
  • Dai Sugimoto Sports Injury Prevention
  • Júlia Maria D’Andrea Greve Universidade de São Paulo; Instituto de Ortopedia e Traumatologia; Laboratório de Cinesiologia (LEM)
  • Arnaldo José Hernandez Universidade de São Paulo; Instituto de Ortopedia e Traumatologia; Laboratório de Cinesiologia (LEM)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6061/clinics/2016(08)03

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Anterior cruciate ligament injury leads to adaptive responses to maintain postural control. However, there is no consensus regarding whether leg dominance also affects postural control in athletes with anterior cruciate ligament injury. The purpose of this study was to evaluate dynamic and static postural control among athletes with and without anterior cruciate ligament injury to the dominant leg. METHODS: Twenty-eight athletes, twenty-one males and seven females aged 15-45 years, were allocated to one of two groups: the anterior cruciate ligament injury group (26±3 years) or the control group without anterior cruciate ligament injury (25±6.5 years). All subjects performed one legged stance tests under eyes open and eyes closed conditions and squat and kick movement tests using a postural control protocol (AccuSwayPlus force platform, Massachusetts). The center of pressure displacement and speed were measured by the force platform. In addition, the distance traveled on the single-leg hop test was assessed as an objective measure of function. RESULTS: Significantly greater mediolateral sway was found under the eyes closed condition (p=0.04) and during squat movement (p=0.01) in the anterior cruciate ligament injury group than in the control group. Analysis of the single-leg hop test results showed no difference between the groups (p=0.73). CONCLUSION: Athletes with anterior cruciate ligament injury had greater mediolateral displacement of the center of pressure toward the dominant leg under the eyes closed condition and during squat movement compared to control athletes.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Downloads

Published

2016-08-01

Issue

Section

Clinical Sciences

How to Cite

Fernandes, T. L., Felix, E. C. R., Bessa, F., Luna, N. M., Sugimoto, D., Greve, J. M. D., & Hernandez, A. J. (2016). Evaluation of static and dynamic balance in athletes with anterior cruciate ligament injury – A controlled study . Clinics, 71(8), 425-429. https://doi.org/10.6061/clinics/2016(08)03