Modified defense reaction reduces biomechanical and myoelectrical ACL injury risk factors in elite Judo. Issue 12 (18th June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lambert, Christophe; Riesterer, Janine; Mauch, Marlene; Lambert, Maxime; Paul, Jochen; Ritzmann, Ramona
• Is Part Of: Journal of sports sciences. Volume 40:Issue 12(2022)
• Page Start: 1325
• Page End: 1335
• Publication Date: 2022-06-18
• Subjects: ACL -- neuromuscular -- reflex -- kinematics -- sports medicine -- elite sports -- athlete; Sports -- Periodicals; Sports -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; Sports -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; 612.044
• DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2022.2080160
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-0414

Abstract

ABSTRACT: In judo, an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is the most severe injury an athlete could experience. Most ACL ruptures occur when defending against an osoto-gari attack. This study aims to identify ACL risk factors during osoto-gari defence and implement a modified osoto-gari defence reaction, which is assumed to improve myoelectric patterns and ameliorate critical biomechanical risk factors for ACL injuries. Twenty-six elite judokas were enrolled in the cross-over trial (female: 6; male: 20). 3D kinematics and force dynamometrics were combined with electromyographical recordings to assess the effects of the common and the modified osoto-gari defence reaction . Compared to the common osoto-gari defence reaction (maximal knee flexion: 29 ± 12°; maximal valgus: 10 ± 5°; maximal valgus moment: 58 ± 17 Nm; peak internal rotation: 9 ± 5°), the modified osoto-gari defence reaction showed significantly reduced knee angles (31 ± 10° p < 0.05; 1 ± 0° p < 0.05; 31 ± 9 Nm p < 0.05; 3 ± 0° p < 0.05). The myoelectric activity of the hamstring increased (+5±% to +27±%, p < 0.05) in the modified compared to common defence reaction. The modified osoto-gari defence reaction reduced critical biomechanical risk factors and increased hamstring myoelectric activity. We recommend the implementation of the modified osoto-gari defence reaction in judo practice and seek to evaluate its long-term effectiveness in decreasing ACL injury incidences in elite judo.