Effect of Lumbopelvic Control on Landing Mechanics and Lower Extremity Muscles’ Activities in Female Professional Athletes: Implications for Injury Prevention

Background: Lumbopelvic control has recently been associated with function, kinesiology, and limb loading. However, poor lumbopelvic control has not been studied as a risk factor for lower limb injury in sports with frequent jump landings. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of lumbopelvic control on landing mechanics and lower limb muscle activity in professional athletes with frequent landing. Methods: : This study was conducted on 34 professional female athletes aged 18.29±3.29 years with the mean height and weight of 173.5±7.23 centimeters and 66.79±13.37 kilograms, respectively. The lumbopelvic control of the subjects was evaluated using the knee lift abdominal test, bent knee fall-out, active straight leg raising, and PRONE test by the pressure biofeedback unit. Based on the test results, the participants were equally divided into two groups of with and without lumbopelvic control (n=17). Landing mechanics were evaluated by an expert blinded to the procedures using the landing error scoring system (LESS) and two-dimensional video analysis. In addition, electrical muscle activity in single-legged standing skills was assessed via surface electromyography. Results: : The results of independent samples t-test indicated significant differences between the groups with and without lumbopelvic control in terms of the LESS test scores (P=0.0001), lateral trunk flexion (P=0.0001), knee valgus (P=0.0001), knee flexion (P=0.001), trunk flexion (P=0.01), and gluteus medius muscle activity (P=0.03). However, no significant differences were observed in the activity of the rectus femoris and semitendinosus muscles, and ankle dorsiflexion (P>0.05). Conclusions: : Poor lumbopelvic control affects the kinematics and electrical activity of the lower limb muscles and may be a risk factor for lower limb injuries, especially knee injury.