Comparing myofascial meridian activation during single leg vertical drop jump in patients with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and healthy participants

Background: Muscles work synergistically to support the body during landing. Myofascial meridians have been described to classify muscles into functional synergies. The role that these functional lines plays in positioning the trunk and lower extremity of patients with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) and healthy athletes during drop landing tasks remains unclear. Research question: The purpose of this study was to compare the front and back functional lines (FFL and BFL) muscle activation in patients with ACLR and healthy participants during single leg vertical drop jump (SLVDJ). Methods: Thirty-two male athletes (post-ACLR = 16, healthy = 16) participated (age = 23.3 +/- 2.3 years). Superficial electromyography of FFL (adductor longus [AL], rectus abdominis [RA], pectoralis major) and BFL (vastus lateralis [VL], gluteus maximus [GMax], latissimus dorsi [LD]) was collected during the SLVDJ and compared at initial contact and maximum knee flexion between groups using t-tests and limbs using paired-samples t-tests. Results: In the FFL, the AL (p < 0.05) and RA (p < 0.05) muscles were more active in the healthy group compared to the ACLR group at initial contact and maximum knee flexion. PM demonstrated greater activation in the healthy group only at maximum knee flexion (p < 0.05). In the BFL, the VL (p < 0.05) and GMax (p < 0.05) muscles were more active in the ACLR group, whereas the LD (p < 0.05) muscles demonstrated greater activation in the healthy group at initial contact and maximum knee flexion. There were no healthy group inter-limb differences in FFL and BFL activation. ACLR participants demonstrated greater non-injured limb VL, AL, GMax and LD activation (p < 0.05) and greater injured limb PM and RA activation (p < 0.05). Significance: Based on the present data, patients after ACLR may present with an alteration in BFL and FFL muscles activation during a drop jump task. Functional line muscles during dynamic activities may change lower extremity positioning and lead to increase ACL injury risk.