1. Effects of a proprioceptive focal stimulation (Equistasi®) on reducing the biomechanical risk factors associated with ACL injury in female footballers
- Author
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Fabiola Spolaor, Annamaria Guiotto, Alfredo Ciniglio, Federica Cibin, and Zimi Sawacha
- Subjects
ACL injury prevention ,proprioceptive mechanical focal stimuli ,sidestep cutting maneuver ,biomechanical risk factors ,football player ,Sports ,GV557-1198.995 - Abstract
IntroductionFootball presents a high rate of lower limb injuries and high incidence of Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) rupture, especially in women. Due to this there is the need to optimize current prevention programs. This study aims to verify the possibility to reduce the biomechanical risk factors associated with ACL injury, through the application of proprioceptive stimulation by means of the Equistasi® device.MethodsTen elite female footballers were enrolled and received the device for 4 weeks (5 days/week, 1h/day). Athletes were assessed directly on-field at four time points: T0 and T1 (evaluation without and with the device), T2 (after 2 weeks), T4 (after 4 weeks) while performing two different tasks: Romberg Test, and four sidestep cutting maneuvers bilaterally. Seven video cameras synchronized with a plantar pressure system were used, thirty double colored tapes were applied on anatomical landmarks, and three dimensional coordinates reconstructed. Vertical ground reaction forces and center of pressure data were extracted from the plantar pressure insoles. Hip, knee, and ankle flexion-extension angles and moments were computed as well as abd-adduction joint torques. From the Romberg Test both center of pressure descriptive variables and frequency analysis parameters were extracted. Each variable was compared among the different time frames, T1, T2 and T4, through Friedman Test for non-parametric repeated measures (p
- Published
- 2023
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