CAN LOW HAMSTRING ACTIVATION EXPLAIN ACL-INJURY? A CASE STUDY

Abstract

The neuromuscular coordination, and especially the activation of the hamstrings have been hypothesised as very important for knee stability during side-step cutting and other movements. The present study is a case study and presents data from a single subject, who participated in an experiment with EMG recordings quadriceps and hamstring activity during side-step cutting. Eight months after the original experiment the subject suffered an ACL-injury performing a side-step cutting maneuver during a team handball match. The study showed that prior to the injury the subject had much lower preactivity EMG in his lateral hamstring than the rest of the subjects. This may potentially result in lesser rotational stability, and may support the hypothesis that hamstring activity is important for ACL-protection during side-step cutting.