Journal of Isfahan Medical School

Journal of Isfahan Medical School

The Effect of Core Stability Exercises on Electromyographic Module Quality and Lower Limb Motor Performance Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Document Type : Original Article(s)

Authors
Majid Fatahi 1
Gholamali Ghasemi 2
Reza Mahdavi nejad 3
Hamed Esmaeili 3
1 PhD Student in Sports Pathology, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
2 Professor, Faculty of Sports, Isfahan University, Isfahan, Iran
3 Associate Professor, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Isfahan University, Isfahan, Iran
10.48305/jims.v43.i845.1837
Abstract
Introduction: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are one of the most common knee injuries in sports. Evidence suggests that training interventions can change the pattern of module composition and muscle activation sequence and play an effective role in ACL injury rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of eight weeks of core stability training on the quality of lower limb muscle modules in ACLR individuals.
Materials and Methods: This study was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test-post-test design with a control group. Thirty male soccer athletes were divided into two experimental (core exercises) and control groups. Electromyographic activity of selected lower limb muscles was recorded during single-leg jump and landing. Module composition, timing, and motor performance were compared before and after the intervention. ANOVA with repeated measures was used to analyze the data at a significance level of P<0.05.
Results: The results showed that the timing quality in modules 1, 2, 3, 4, (P=0.005, P=0.012, P=0.000, P=0.008); and the quality of combination in modules 2 and 4 improved (P=0.000, P=0.005). Core stability exercises in ACLR subjects before and after training improved the combination and timing of motor modules, especially in the hamstrings and ankle plantar flexors in ACLR subjects. Also, FMS performance improved.
Conclusion:Core stability exercises can improve the neuromuscular organization of the lower limb by affecting the combination and timing of the module and reduce the risk of ACL re-injury.
Keywords: Core exercises, muscle synergy, electromyography, ACL injury.

Highlights

Majid Fatahi: Google Scholar

Gholamali Ghasemi: Google Scholar

Keywords
Core exercises
Muscle synergy
Electromyography
ACL injury

Subjects

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Journal of Isfahan Medical School
Volume 43, Issue 845
1st Week, March
March and April 2026
Pages 1837-1844

  • Receive Date 24 May 2025
  • Accept Date 15 May 2026