Date of Graduation

5-2011

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Education in Recreation and Sport Management (MEd)

Degree Level

Graduate

Department

Health, Human Performance and Recreation

Advisor/Mentor

Dittmore, Stephen W.

Committee Member

Oliver, Gretchen D.

Second Committee Member

Moiseichik, Merry L.

Keywords

Health and environmental sciences; Biological sciences; Athletic training; Core; Dynamic knee valgus; Functional movement screen; Lumbopelvic hip complex; Tuck jumps

Abstract

Female athletes have a four-to-six times greater risk of sustaining a lower extremity injury than their male counterparts (Hewett, 2000). One explanation for the discrepancy in injury rates is increased dynamic knee valgus angles caused by neuromuscular imbalances of the lumbopelvic hip complex (LPHC). The purpose of this study was to determine if implementing a LPHC conditioning program improved neuromuscular deficiencies. Seven female collegiate tennis players competitive at the NCAA Division I level volunteered for the study (19.7 + .95 years, 167.3 + 7.4 cm, and 60.72 kg + 6.71 kg). The subjects participated in a 16 week LPHC conditioning program with the goal of increasing muscle activation and decreasing dynamic knee valgus. Manual muscle tests were performed and recorded via Noraxon 1400L sEMG. Dynamic knee valgus was evaluated by the Tuck Jump Assessment and Functional Movement Screen (FMS). Data were collected prior to and at the end of the intervention. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 15.0 and paired sample t-tests were used on the data. Significant improvements were seen in the Tuck Jump Assessment (p= .004). FMS scores did not improve statistically, but clinically significant improvements were observed. Subjects did not train for the Tuck Jump Assessment; therefore it appears the conditioning program assisted in correcting neuromuscular deficits, which may indicate increased dynamic control of the knee (Ford et al., 2003).

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