The effect of motor learning approaches on kinematic and kinetic risk factors related to anterior cruciate ligament injury in athletes: A systematic review

Poster Presentation
Paper ID : 1350-SSRC
Authors
1Ph. D. candidate, Faculty of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
2PT, PhD, Associate Professor, Faculty of physical education and sports sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
3PhD, ATC, Department of Applied Physiology, Health, and Clinical Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, United States
Abstract
Aim and Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is one of the most common sports injuries that reduces participation in sports and limits daily activities. The best current evidence supports the effectiveness of neuromuscular training in reducing the risk of injury; however, the rate of ACL injuries is still high. Motor learning approaches have been successful in improving biomechanical risk factors, but they have been considered in few studies. In addition, training approaches that provide variability are suggested to improve movement adaptations. Increased variability in training is considered more functional and may reduce the risk of ACL injury. So, this review aims to investigate the effect of motor learning approaches on kinematic and kinetic risk factors related to ACL injury in athletes.
Method: Articles published between 2011 and 2023 were searched using PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, ISC, Science Direct, and Elsevier using a combination of keywords ACL injury, Kinematic and kinetic risk factors, athletes, and motor learning. The quality of the included studies was assessed by the PEDro scale. The eligibility criteria were checked based on the PICOS (population, intervention, comparison, outcome, study type) framework.
Results: According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 9 studies were obtained and analyzed in full text. Motor learning approaches include Internal and external focus of attention, dual tasks, visual motor training, self-control feedback, differential learning, and linear and non-linear pedagogy, which were used in combination with exercise programs. In most of the studies that used motor learning approaches, a significant decrease in knee valgus, tibial abduction and external rotation, ground reaction force, and increase in knee, trunk and hip flexion, and knee flexion moment was observed.
Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that the use of motor learning approaches to emphasize variability, cognitive flexibility, and self-exploration may significantly improve biomechanical risk factors related to ACL injury. Practitioners are advised to use sport-specific cognitive tasks in combination with neuromuscular training to simulate the loads of the competitive environment.
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