The effects of age and skill level on knee musculature co-contraction during functional activities: a systematic review

Objectives: To systematically review the current literature that relates the effects of age and skill level to motor control patterns of knee musculature co-contraction during functional movements. Methods: A search of electronic databases was performed with the search terms specifying co-contractio...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:British journal of sports medicine 2008-07, Vol.42 (7), p.561-566
Main Authors: Ford, K R, van den Bogert, J, Myer, G D, Shapiro, R, Hewett, T E
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Age
Age Factors
Age groups
Biomechanical Phenomena
Child
Children & youth
Electromyography
Female
Females
Fitness equipment
Humans
Joints
Jumping
Kinematics
Knee
Knee Joint - physiology
Male
Motor ability
Muscle Contraction - physiology
Muscle, Skeletal - physiology
Running
Skill development
Sports - physiology
Sports injuries
Sports medicine
Systematic review
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Description
Summary:Objectives: To systematically review the current literature that relates the effects of age and skill level to motor control patterns of knee musculature co-contraction during functional movements. Methods: A search of electronic databases was performed with the search terms specifying co-contraction (cocontract*, co-contract*, coactive* or co-activ*). The search was focused on the effects age and/or skill level and were limited by the keywords of age or skill level (skill*) or experience (experi*). Results: The search yielded a total of six peer-reviewed manuscripts that met the search criteria and were included in the review. Conclusions: The relationship between adequate dynamic joint stability and efficient movement patterns are complex. Co-contraction related to age and skill development varies among studies due to technical and practical considerations. Adequate antagonistic co-contraction of hamstring musculature seems to be a component of all functional movements, possibly maintain dynamic knee stability and protect against excessive joint loads. Future investigations that further delineate the appropriate lower extremity agonist and antagonist relationships during dynamic tasks may help elucidate injury risk mechanisms in specific populations.
ISSN:0306-3674
1473-0480
DOI:10.1136/bjsm.2007.044883