Assessment of the neuromuscular function in professional athletes: Extended diagnostics of the readiness for muscular performance

Abstract

In recent years significant advances have been made in surgical techniques, postoperative rehabilitation, and the identification of risk factors for a second injury of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL); however, this has not led to a reduction of the risk for secondary ACL injury. Restoration of the anatomical (surgical reconstruction) and subsequently especially the training-related functional stability should be a fundamental prerequisite for return to sport after ACL reconstruction. The ACL plays an important role in knee proprioception with the consequence of a limited sensorimotor control after injury. Perturbation training represents a major challenge in the late rehabilitation phase after ACL reconstruction. The diagnostics of muscle activation in the course of rehabilitation after ACL reconstruction is therefore of huge importance. With the developed software, the characteristics of the motor units of the knee joint muscles can be quantified in a timely manner. Thus, a possible overload during highly reactive perturbation training during the late rehabilitation phase after ACL reconstruction can be avoided.