title: Inter-session reliability and sex-related differences in hamstrings total reaction time, pre-motor time and motor time during eccentric isokinetic contractions in recreational athlete.
abstract: The purposes were twofold: (a) to ascertain the inter-session reliability of hamstrings total reaction time, pre-motor time and motor time; and (b) to examine sex-related differences in the hamstrings reaction times profile. Twenty-four men and 24 women completed the study. Biceps femoris and semitendinosus total reaction time, pre-motor time and motor time measured during eccentric isokinetic contractions were recorded on three different occasions. Inter-session reliability was examined through typical percentage error (CVTE), percentage change in the mean (CM) and intraclass correlations (ICC). For both biceps femoris and semitendinosus, total reaction time, pre-motor time and motor time measures demonstrated moderate inter-session reliability (CVTE<10%; CM<3%; ICC>0.7). The results also indicated that, although not statistically significant, women reported consistently longer hamstrings total reaction time (23.5ms), pre-motor time (12.7ms) and motor time (7.5ms) values than men. Therefore, an observed change larger than 5%, 9% and 8% for total reaction time, pre-motor time and motor time respectively from baseline scores after performing a training program would indicate that a real change was likely. Furthermore, while not statistically significant, sex differences were noted in the hamstrings reaction time profile which may play a role in the greater incidence of ACL injuries in women.
authors.affiliation: Sports Research Centre, Miguel Hernandez University of Elche, Spain; ISEN University Formation, Centre Affiliated to the University of Murcia, Spain. Electronic address: Franciscoayalarodriguez@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ayala
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Applied Sciences, School of Sport and Exercise, University of Gloucestershire, Gloucester, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Ste Croix
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Sport and Physical Education of Toledo, University of Castilla La Mancha, Spain.
authors.forename: Pilar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sainz de Baranda
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Spain; Department of Traumatology, V. de la Arrixaca University Hospital, Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Santonja
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D056352:Athletes; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D011090:Polyenes; D011930:Reaction Time; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012737:Sex Factors; D013848:Thigh; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D011090:Polyenes; C100114:hamycin
keywords: Anterior cruciate ligament injury; Electromechanical delay; Error of measurement; Reproducibility