Olivia Sunderlik
Pronouns: She/her
Research Mentor(s): Riann Smith
Co-Presenter:
Research Mentor School/College/Department: School of Kinesiology / Kinesiology
Presentation Date: April 20
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: Session 6 – 4:40pm – 5:30 pm
Room: League Ballroom
Authors: Olivia Sunderlik, Alexa Johnson, Riann Palmieri-Smith
Presenter: 23
Abstract
Following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction individuals have decreased quadriceps muscle activation and greater quadriceps muscle atrophy compared to their non-surgical limb. A better understanding of the relationship between muscle activation and atrophy is essential to successful ACL rehabilitation and building strength for future knee health. The purpose of this study was to determine if greater muscle activation failure at baseline leads to greater quadriceps atrophy 4 months after ACL reconstruction. This study obtained data from fifteen patients at baseline (post-ACL injury but before surgery) and again four months after ACL reconstruction. Muscle atrophy was measured via quadriceps ultrasound both pre-surgery and four months post-ACL reconstruction. Muscle activation was only measured prior to surgery. Cross sectional area (CSA) of the ACL limb’s rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, and vastus medialis were measured. In order to determine muscle atrophy the change in quadriceps CSA was determined from baseline to four months post-ACL reconstruction. Muscle activation was measured on patients’ ACL limb via the interpolated twitch technique, which is used to calculate a percentage of muscle activation using evoked torque during the MVIC and the evoked torque during rest. To determine if muscle activation at baseline was related to muscle atrophy we utilized a linear regression model with muscle activation as the independent variable and muscle atrophy as the dependent variable. We hypothesized that patients with greater muscle activation at baseline exhibit less muscle atrophy 4 months post-ACLR. Increased understanding of this relationship provides researchers with means of predicting and treating post-operational muscle atrophy based on pre-operational activation. Patients may benefit from exercises targeted at improving muscle activation pre-operation in order to potentially prevent greater muscle atrophy post-operation.
Biomedical Sciences, Interdisciplinary
