Gender Differences in Neuromuscular Control during the Preparation Phase of Single-Leg Landing Task in Badminton

Background: Studies on the biomechanical mechanisms of an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury have been extensively studied, but studies on the neuromuscular control-related risk factors for an ACL injury in specific maneuvers have not been reported for badminton players. Study design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Sixteen badminton players (8 male, 8 female) performed a single-leg badminton ball landing task, and lower limb muscle activity, kinematic data, and ground reaction force were measured during this procedure using marker-based movement analysis, force plates, and electromyography (EMG). Gender differences in the lower limb kinematic data, mean values of normalized lower limb muscle activation (MVC%), and co-contraction values during the landing preparation phase (100 ms before initial contact) were analyzed using MANOVA. Results: In the badminton landing task, the knee valgus angle was greater in females than in males (6.27 +/- 2.75 vs. 1.72 +/- 3.20) in the pre-landing preparation position. Compared to male badminton players, females exhibited greater gluteus maximus (44.92 +/- 18.00 vs. 20.34 +/- 11.64), rectus femoris (41.56 +/- 9.84 vs. 26.14 +/- 10.46), and medial gastrocnemius (37.39 +/- 17.31 vs. 19.11 +/- 11.17) lateral gastrocnemius (36.86 +/- 17.82 vs. 13.59 +/- 2.71) muscle activity (MVC%). Conclusion: Female badminton players exhibit neuromuscular control strategies that may be inadequate for ACL protection and may be a potential risk factor for a high incidence of ACL injury In the future, when devising injury prevention plans for female badminton players, optimizing neuromuscular control during the pre-landing phase can be targeted.

Automated summary

This study examined the neuromuscular control-related risk factors for ACL injury in badminton players. It found that female players exhibited greater knee valgus angle and muscle activity during the pre-landing phase. These findings suggest that female players may have inadequate neuromuscular control strategies, which could increase the risk of ACL injury.