title: Muscle pre-activation strategies play a role in modulating Kvert for change of direction manoeuvres: an observational study.
abstract: The aim of the study presented in this paper was to establish if a relationship existed between lower limb muscle pre-activation strategies and vertical stiffness (Kvert). Participants from a professional rugby union club all performed a multidirectional hopping task on a force platform which measured Kvert. Muscle activity was concurrently measured for the gluteus maximus, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, biceps femoris, semimembranosus, and medial gastrocnemius using electromyography and the activity of those muscles in the 100ms prior to foot contact (pre-activation) was analysed. Moderate to strong positive relationships were typically seen for Kvert and muscle pre-activation for each muscle when normalized to maximum voluntary contraction. Pre-activation cocontraction of the muscles surrounding the knee joint also showed a typically moderate relationship with Kvert and peak muscle activation of antagonist muscles at the knee joint were typically similar. Results suggest that muscle pre-activation strategies play a role in modulating Kvert for change of direction manoeuvre.
authors.affiliation: Trauma and Orthopaedic Research Unit, Canberra Hospital, Woden, ACT 2606, Australia; Medical School, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia. Electronic address: ben.serpell@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Benjamin G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Serpell
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Sports Studies, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT 2614, Australia. Electronic address: nick.ball@canberra.edu.au.
authors.forename: Nick B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Ball
authors.affiliation: Trauma and Orthopaedic Research Unit, Canberra Hospital, Woden, ACT 2606, Australia; Head of Physiotherapy Discipline, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT 2614, Australia. Electronic address: jennie.scarvell@canberra.edu.au.
authors.forename: Jennie M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Scarvell
authors.affiliation: Port Adelaide Football Club, Allan Scott Power Headquarters, Brougham Place, Alberton, SA 5014, Australia. Electronic address: alecbuttfield@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Alec
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Buttfield
authors.affiliation: Trauma and Orthopaedic Research Unit, Canberra Hospital, Woden, ACT 2606, Australia; Medical School, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia. Electronic address: psmith@co.net.au.
authors.forename: Paul N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004576:Electromyography / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D052097:Quadriceps Muscle / Q000502:physiology; D013177:Sports; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Co-contraction; Pre-activation; Vertical stiffness