Neuromuscular Control Deficits After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Pilot Study Using Single-Leg Functional Tests and Electromyography

<b>Purpose:</b> This study aimed to evaluate neuromuscular control and muscle activation patterns in individuals following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, compared to healthy controls. <b>Methods</b>: A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted followin...

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Main Authors: Ayrton Moiroux--Sahraoui, Jean Mazeas, Maxime Gold, Georgios Kakavas, Florian Forelli
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/10/1/98
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author Ayrton Moiroux--Sahraoui
Jean Mazeas
Maxime Gold
Georgios Kakavas
Florian Forelli
author_facet Ayrton Moiroux--Sahraoui
Jean Mazeas
Maxime Gold
Georgios Kakavas
Florian Forelli
author_sort Ayrton Moiroux--Sahraoui
collection DOAJ
description <b>Purpose:</b> This study aimed to evaluate neuromuscular control and muscle activation patterns in individuals following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, compared to healthy controls. <b>Methods</b>: A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted following STROBE guidelines, including 16 participants (ACL group: n = 9; control group: n = 7). Participants performed the single-leg squat (SLS) test and the single-leg drop landing (SLDL) test. Neuromuscular control was assessed using the Qualitative Analysis of Single-Leg Loading Score (QASLS), while gluteus medius and vastus medialis activation were recorded using surface electromyography. <b>Results</b>: The ACL group showed significantly higher QASLSs in the SLS test (<i>p</i> = 0.0113), indicating poorer movement quality, while no difference was found in the SLDL test (<i>p</i> = 0.5484). Gluteus medius activation was lower in the ACL group during the SLS test (<i>p</i> = 0.0564), and vastus medialis activation was higher but not significantly different (<i>p</i> = 0.095). <b>Conclusions:</b> These findings highlight persistent neuromuscular deficits post-ACL-reconstruction, particularly in SLS tasks, reinforcing the need for targeted rehabilitation strategies focusing on hip stabilization and quadriceps motor control to optimize movement quality and reduce reinjury risk.
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spelling doaj-art-88ab4b9e94e44558a2d6aa5ce4e973db2025-08-20T02:11:11ZengMDPI AGJournal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology2411-51422025-03-011019810.3390/jfmk10010098Neuromuscular Control Deficits After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Pilot Study Using Single-Leg Functional Tests and ElectromyographyAyrton Moiroux--Sahraoui0Jean Mazeas1Maxime Gold2Georgios Kakavas3Florian Forelli4Orthosport Rehab Center, 95330 Domont, FranceOrthosport Rehab Center, 95330 Domont, FranceOrthopaedic Surgery Department, Clinic of Domont, Ramsay Healthcare, @OrthoLab, 95330 Domont, FranceFysiotek Spine & Sports Lab, 116 35 Athens, GreeceOrthopaedic Surgery Department, Clinic of Domont, Ramsay Healthcare, @OrthoLab, 95330 Domont, France<b>Purpose:</b> This study aimed to evaluate neuromuscular control and muscle activation patterns in individuals following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, compared to healthy controls. <b>Methods</b>: A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted following STROBE guidelines, including 16 participants (ACL group: n = 9; control group: n = 7). Participants performed the single-leg squat (SLS) test and the single-leg drop landing (SLDL) test. Neuromuscular control was assessed using the Qualitative Analysis of Single-Leg Loading Score (QASLS), while gluteus medius and vastus medialis activation were recorded using surface electromyography. <b>Results</b>: The ACL group showed significantly higher QASLSs in the SLS test (<i>p</i> = 0.0113), indicating poorer movement quality, while no difference was found in the SLDL test (<i>p</i> = 0.5484). Gluteus medius activation was lower in the ACL group during the SLS test (<i>p</i> = 0.0564), and vastus medialis activation was higher but not significantly different (<i>p</i> = 0.095). <b>Conclusions:</b> These findings highlight persistent neuromuscular deficits post-ACL-reconstruction, particularly in SLS tasks, reinforcing the need for targeted rehabilitation strategies focusing on hip stabilization and quadriceps motor control to optimize movement quality and reduce reinjury risk.https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/10/1/98ACL reconstructionneuromuscular controlgluteus mediusvastus medialissurface electromyography
spellingShingle Ayrton Moiroux--Sahraoui
Jean Mazeas
Maxime Gold
Georgios Kakavas
Florian Forelli
Neuromuscular Control Deficits After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Pilot Study Using Single-Leg Functional Tests and Electromyography
Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology
ACL reconstruction
neuromuscular control
gluteus medius
vastus medialis
surface electromyography
title Neuromuscular Control Deficits After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Pilot Study Using Single-Leg Functional Tests and Electromyography
title_full Neuromuscular Control Deficits After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Pilot Study Using Single-Leg Functional Tests and Electromyography
title_fullStr Neuromuscular Control Deficits After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Pilot Study Using Single-Leg Functional Tests and Electromyography
title_full_unstemmed Neuromuscular Control Deficits After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Pilot Study Using Single-Leg Functional Tests and Electromyography
title_short Neuromuscular Control Deficits After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Pilot Study Using Single-Leg Functional Tests and Electromyography
title_sort neuromuscular control deficits after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction a pilot study using single leg functional tests and electromyography
topic ACL reconstruction
neuromuscular control
gluteus medius
vastus medialis
surface electromyography
url https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/10/1/98
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