Effects of sprint interval training on neuromuscular fatigue and ACL injury risks in racquet sports athletes

Abstract

Racquet sports athletes perform multiple movements per match that are associated with increased ACL injury risk. In addition to this, female athletes are speculated to be as much as eight times more likely to suffer an ACL injury than their male counterparts. Despite this and the worldwide popularity of racquet sports, studies into ACL injury risk in racquet sports is limited. The aim of the thesis was firstly to determine sex related ACL injury risk during two common racquet sports manoeuvres (single leg landings and cutting manoeuvres). Then the thesis aimed to address if it is possible to reduce injury risks during cutting manoeuvres using a novel training programme that implemented average work; rest ratios of the each of the racquet sports involved. Study 1 investigated sex differences during badminton jump smashes in terms of performance and kinematics linked to ACL injuries. The second study then investigated sex differences in racquet sports athletes pre and post fatiguing exercise during cutting manoeuvres. Finally, study 3 investigated the impact of a 3-week sport specific SIT programme on lower limb kinetics and kinematics linked to ACL injury risk during cutting manoeuvres both pre and post fatiguing exercise. No significant differences in ACL injury risk were noted between the sexes during the badminton jump smashes or the cutting manoeuvres pre and post fatiguing exercise. Significantly greater racquet sports performance (9 – 14% greater TTE and 10 – 21% reduced cut time) was noted following only 3 weeks of SIT training. Despite this, minimal differences in lower limb biomechanics were observed at initial contact or peak values. In conclusion lower limb biomechanics alone in healthy racquet sports athletes cannot explain the differing incidence rates of ACL injury regardless of fatigue status. However, 3-weeks of SIT can effectively improve performance and offset fatigue. This suggests that racquet sports athletes should incorporate regular SIT into training programmes as not utilising this training method could place them at a competitive disadvantage to opponents that do.

Date of Award	Nov 2022
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Abertay University
Supervisor	Ashley Williams (Supervisor), John Babraj (Supervisor) & Graeme Sorbie (Supervisor)