Deletorious effects of fatigue on knee joint proprioception in soccer players

• Type: Chapter or Part of a Book
• Date: 2012

Authors

Fernando Ribeiro (Author) Other; Andreia Morato (Author) Other; Jerónimo Francisco (Author) Other; José Oliveira (Author) FADEUP

Book

Title: The Knee: Current Concepts in Kinematics, Injury Types, and Treatment Options

Pages: 95-103

ISBN: 9781619422681

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge

Scopus - 0 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Social sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00A-4P1

Abstract (EN): Proprioception alterations induced by intense physical exercise may be associated with increased risk of injury. In this sense, the main purpose of the present chapter was to assess the effect of fatigue induced by a soccer match on knee joint position sense in elite soccer players. The second aim of this chapter was to identify possible gender differences in proprioceptive response to fatigue. Twenty soccer players (age: 18.4±1.1 years) were recruited. Knee joint position sense was evaluated using an open kinetic chain technique and active knee positioning, and was reported using absolute and relative angular errors. Knee angles were determined by computer analysis of videotape images of the knee joint using a two-dimensional automatic digitizing module. Joint position sense measures were obtained at rest and immediately after a soccer match. The perceived exertion or exercise intensity was assessed at the end of the match using Borg's rating of perceived exertion (RPE) scale. Of the 20 players, only 17 completed the soccer match reaching or exceeding the score of 15 on the RPE scale. This left 17 players (10 female) for the statistical analysis. After the soccer match a significant increase in absolute (2.1±1.1° to 4.0±2.3°, P=.001) and relative (0.7±2.0° to 3.5±3.1°, P<.001) angular errors was observed. When comparing genders, no differences at rest were observed in absolute (female, 1.8±1.0° vs. male, 2.5±1.2° P>.05) and relative (female, 0.5±1.7° vs. male, 0.8±2.6°, P>.05) errors. However, the absolute error after the match increased to 4.9±3.2° (P=.038) in males and to 3.3±1.2° (P=.014) in females. Additionally, the relative error post-match increased to 3.6±4.8° (P=.049) in males and to 3.3±1.2° (P=.004) in females. No gender differences were detected in the magnitude of the increase in both relative male, 2.4±2.4° vs. female, 1.6±1.7° P>.05) and absolute (male, 2.8±3.0° vs. female, 2.8±2.3° P>.05) angular errors. In conclusion, our results indicate that fatigue induced by a soccer match has a marked deleterious effect on knee joint position sense in elite soccer players irrespective of gender.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 9