Electromyographic study of the anterior cruciate ligament-hamstrings synergy during isometric knee extension

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the role the hamstrings group may play in augmenting passive articular mechanisms during activity in which anterior drawer force may detrimentally affect the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Nine male subjects performed non-weight-bearing isometric knee extension at 10% increments of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). Electromyographic (EMG) signals were detected and recorded from the vastus lateralis, vastus medialis oblique, vastus medialis longus, and the long head of the biceps femoris. The EMG signals were rectified and integrated over 1000 ms and normalized to subject-specific values. The data were subjected to a repeated-measures analysis of variance. The results demonstrated that expected significant increases in quadriceps excitation accompanied increases in knee extensor torque. Hamstrings excitation was not found to change significantly (total change = 3.4%). It was concluded that functionally adequate knees do not require posterior drawer force in excess of that provided passively by articular structures.