A six-month Kinesiological intervention following a patellar tendon reconstruction in a soccer player: A focus on exercise prescription and assessment for a safe return to sport participation

Authors

  • Stefano Marinelli University of L'Aquila https://orcid.org/0009-0003-8967-0464
  • Stefano La Greca University of L'Aquila
  • Davide Mazzaferro University of L'Aquila
  • Luca Russo Telematic University of the study IUL
  • Riccardo Di Giminiani University of L'Aquila

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze a 6-month Kinesiological intervention after patellar tendon reconstruction. The kinetics, kinematics, and neuromuscular differences between operated limb (OL) and non-operated limb (N-OL) were assessed over time in a soccer player.

Methods:The assessment was performed at three (T0) and nine months after the reconstruction (T1) and included: the range of motion (ROM), gait analysis through angle-angle diagrams, postural control, neuromuscular assessment during whole-body vibration (WBV), and unilateral-bilateral maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVICs) synchronized with surface electromyography (sEMG).

Results: The angle-angle diagrams at T1 showed an increase in the area and perimeter in the N-OL and OL, particularly for the area and perimeter of knee-ankle diagram in OL. Also, the postural control at T1, showed an increase in the different conditions. The sEMGRMS recorded during WBV revealed a significant changed in the neuromuscular patterns in the OL at T1; the sEMG increase in the vastus lateralis (VL) and lateral gastrocnemius (LG) activities with a concomitant decrease in the biceps femoris (BF) and tibialis anterior (TA). The peak of force and the rate of force development during MVICs showed a slight difference between OL and N-OL at T1. Also, the sEMGRMS activities synchronized with MVICs showed a slight difference between the OL and N-OL in the extensors (VL, VM, and RF) and flexors (BF) muscles at T1.

Conclusions: The kinetic, kinematic, and neuromuscular variables have revealed improvements in the measurements performed at T1 compared with T0. A 6-month individualized Kinesiological intervention, following a patellar tendon reconstruction, re-establishes the neuromuscular patterns in the OL. These results provide a guideline to Kinesiologist in the management of the functional recovery following patellar tendon reconstruction.

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Published

22-07-2024

How to Cite

Marinelli, S., La Greca, S., Mazzaferro, D. ., Russo, L., & Di Giminiani, R. (2024). A six-month Kinesiological intervention following a patellar tendon reconstruction in a soccer player: A focus on exercise prescription and assessment for a safe return to sport participation. Acta Kinesiologica, 18(2), 13–23. Retrieved from https://akinesiologica.com/ojs_3.3.0-7/index.php/akinesiologica/article/view/220

Issue

Vol. 18 No. 2 (2024): Acta kinesiologica

Section

Original Scientific Article

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