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Adaptive Neuromuscular Co-Contraction Strategies Under Varying Approach Speeds and Distances During Single-Leg
Wei-Hsun Tai1,2, Hsien-Te Peng2,3, Jian-Zhi Lin4
1School of General Education, Guangzhou Institute of Science and Technology, Guangzhou 510540, China.
Life (Basel, Switzerland)
|December 30, 2025
Summary
Athletes adjust muscle activation and joint stiffness based on approach speed and distance during jump landings. This coordination helps balance joint protection and performance, potentially reducing injury risk.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Human Movement Science
- Sports Medicine
Background:
- Understanding neuromuscular strategies is crucial for optimizing athletic performance and preventing injuries.
- Joint stiffness regulation plays a key role in managing impact forces during dynamic movements like jump landings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of approach speed and distance on lower-limb muscle activation, joint co-contraction ratios (CCRs), and mechanical joint stiffness during single-leg approach run jump landings (ARJSL).
- To clarify adaptive neuromuscular strategies employed for joint stiffness regulation in ARJSL.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-five male university students performed ARJSLs under varied approach speeds (fast/slow) and distances (3, 6, 9 m).
- Surface electromyography (sEMG) analyzed muscle activation in five key lower-limb muscles across pre-activation, braking, and push-off phases.
- Knee and ankle co-contraction ratios (CCRs) and mechanical joint stiffness were calculated using kinematic and kinetic data.
Main Results:
- Significant interactions between speed and distance affected tibialis anterior activation, CCRs, and eccentric ankle stiffness.
- Increased pre-activation knee CCR with faster, longer approaches indicated anticipatory joint pre-stiffening.
- Faster approaches led to higher concentric hip and ankle stiffness during push-off, enhancing energy transfer.
Conclusions:
- Athletes exhibit coordinated, phase-dependent adaptations in neuromuscular co-contraction and mechanical stiffness.
- These findings highlight strategies for balancing joint protection and performance during ARJSL.
- Insights can inform training programs to improve jump efficiency and reduce anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury risk.
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