Repetitive jumping and sprinting until exhaustion alters hamstring reflex responses and tibial translation in males and females.
The incidence of anterior cruciate ligament injuries is considerably higher in females than in males and the underlying mechanisms are still under debate. Research indicates that the neuromuscular system of females and males might respond differently to the same fatigue protocol due to differences in muscle activation during movement tasks. This study analyzed sex differences in hamstring reflex responses and posterior-anterior tibial translation (TT) before and after fatiguing exercise. We measured the isolated movement of the tibia relative to the femur as a consequence of mechanically induced TT in standing subjects as well as muscle activity of the hamstrings before and after repetitive jumping and sprinting until exhaustion. Muscle fatigue delayed reflex onset latencies in females and males. A reduction in reflex responses associated with an increased TT was observed after fatiguing exercise for both sexes. Data indicate that the used fatigue protocol altered the latency and magnitude of reflex responses as well as TT in females and males. Based on the results of previous research and the outcome of this study, it might be that sex-specific effects of fatigue on reflex activity and mechanical stability of the knee depend on the kind of fatiguing exercise.
Institute of Sport Science, University of Rostock, Ulmenstrasse 69, 18057 Rostock, Germany.
Martin
M
Behrens
Department of Orthopaedics, University Medicine Rostock, Doberaner Strasse 142, 18057 Rostock, Germany.
Anett
A
Mau-Moeller
Institute of Sport Science, University of Rostock, Ulmenstrasse 69, 18057 Rostock, Germany.
Franziska
F
Wassermann
Institute of Sport Science, University of Rostock, Ulmenstrasse 69, 18057 Rostock, Germany.
Antje
A
Plewka
Department of Orthopaedics, University Medicine Rostock, Doberaner Strasse 142, 18057 Rostock, Germany.
Rainer
R
Bader
Institute of Sport Science, University of Rostock, Ulmenstrasse 69, 18057 Rostock, Germany.
Sven
S
Bruhn
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000209:etiology; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D018763:Muscle Fatigue; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D012018:Reflex; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013977:Tibia / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
ACL injury risk; fatigue; knee stability; stretch reflex