Athletes with an ACL reconstruction show a different neuromuscular response to environmental challenges compared to uninjured athletes

Abstract Background Evidence suggests that neuromuscular alterations in patients with an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) are rooted neurocognitive and proprioceptive deficits. The aim of this study was to assess control athletes ACLR under increased cognitive environmental challenges. Research question Do show a different response challenges relative controls? Methods Cross-sectional study. Twenty who had (age: 23.7?±?4.3 years, 14 males, time post-surgery: 258.6?±?54 days) twenty uninjured controls 21.4?±?1.5 males) performed stepping down-task four conditions: no additional challenges, while performing dual-task, undergoing unpredictable support surface perturbation, the dual-task perturbation combined. Muscle activations vastus medialis (VM), lateralis, hamstrings (HM), lateralis (HL), gastrocnemius medialis, (GL) gluteus medius were recorded EMG. A three-way ANOVA main effects for group, used compare muscle activations. Results Athletes larger HM (ES?=?0.45) HL activation (ES?=?1.32) lower VM (ES?=?0.72), compared controls. significantly smaller increase (ES?=?0.69), VL (ES?=?0.53) GL (ES?=?0.52) between perturbed unperturbed tasks Furthermore, loading decrease (ES?=?0.40) (medial) co-contraction (ES?=?0.75) found Significance altered which might represent arthrogenic response. They less adaptation controls, potentially as result input. Furthermore influence on ACLR, indicating also limitations may contribute control.