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Altered trunk and lower extremity movement coordination after neuromuscular training with and without external focus
Bahram Sheikhi1, Amir Letafatkar2, Abbey C Thomas3
1Biomechanics and Corrective Exercise Laboratory, Faculty of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Kharazmi University, Mirdamad Blvd., Hesari St, Tehran, Iran.
Background:
This study sought to determine the effects of a 6-week neuromuscular training (NMT) and NMT plus external focus (NMT plus EF) programs on trunk and lower extremity inter-segmental movement coordination in active individuals at risk of injury.
Methods:
Forty-six active male athletes (controls = 15, NMT = 16, NMT plus EF = 15) participated (age = 23.26 ± 2.31 years) in this controlled, laboratory study. Three-dimensional kinematics were collected during a drop vertical jump (DVJ). A continuous relative phase (CRP) analysis quantified inter-segmental coordination of the: (1) thigh (flexion/extension)-shank (flexion/extension), (2) thigh (abduction/adduction)-shank (flexion/extension), (3) thigh (abduction/adduction)-trunk (flexion/extension), and (4) trunk (flexion/extension)-pelvis (posterior tilt/anterior tilt). Analysis of covariance compared biomechanical data between groups.
Results:
After 6 weeks, inter-segmental coordination patterns were significantly different between the NMT and NMT plus EF groups (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in CRP for trunk-pelvis coupling comparing between NMT and NMT plus EF groups (p = 0.134), while significant differences were observed CRP angle of the thigh-shank, thigh-trunk couplings (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
Trunk and lower extremity movement coordination were more in-phase during DVJ in the NMT plus EF compared to NMT in active individuals at risk of anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Trial Registration:
The protocol was prospectively registered at UMIN_RCT website with ID number: UMIN000035050, Date of provisional registration 2018/11/27.
