Perturbation Training Improves Knee Kinematics and Reduces Muscle Co-contraction After Complete Unilateral Anterior Cruciate Ligament Rupture

Abstract

Dynamic knee stabilization strategies of people who successfully compensate for the absence of an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ("copers") are different from those of people who do not compensate well for the injury ("noncopers"). Chmielewski et al determine how perturbation training alters muscle co-contraction and knee kinematics in potential copers. Findings suggest that perturbation training reduced quadriceps femoris-hamstring muscle and quadriceps femoris-gastrocnemius muscle co-contractions and normalized knee kinematics in individuals with ACL rupture who were classified as potential copers.