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European Journal of Applied Physiology

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01-11-2013 | Original Article

Gender differences in offaxis neuromuscular control during stepping under a slippery condition

Authors: Song Joo Lee, Yupeng Ren, François Geiger, Li-Qun Zhang

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 11/2013

Abstract

Purpose

Females are at greater risks of musculoskeletal injuries than are males, which may be related to decreased neuromuscular control in axial and/or frontal planes, offaxis neuromuscular control. The objective of this study was to investigate gender differences in offaxis neuromuscular control during stepping under a slippery condition.

Methods

Forty-three healthy subjects (21 males and 22 females) performed different stepping tasks under a slippery condition, namely, free pivoting task (FPT) to control axial plane pivoting, free sliding task (FST) to control frontal plane sliding, and free pivoting and sliding task (FPST) to control axial pivoting, and frontal sliding on a custom-made offaxis elliptical trainer.

Results

Compared to males, females showed significantly higher pivoting instability, higher max internal and external pivoting angles, higher mean max medial and lateral sliding distance, and higher entropy of time to peak EMG in the medial and lateral gastrocnemius muscles during the FPST and higher entropy of time to peak EMG in the lateral gastrocnemius muscle during the FPT and FST.

Conclusions

The findings may help us understand potential injury risk factors associated with gender differences, and provide a basis for developing targeted neuromuscular training to improve offaxis neuromuscular control, and reduce musculoskeletal injuries associated with excessive offaxis loadings.

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Title: Gender differences in offaxis neuromuscular control during stepping under a slippery condition
Authors: Song Joo Lee
Yupeng Ren
François Geiger
Li-Qun Zhang
Publication date: 01-11-2013
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 11/2013
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-013-2727-3

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Gender differences in offaxis neuromuscular control during stepping under a slippery condition

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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