Effects of Neuromuscular Training on the Reaction Time and Electromechanical Delay of the Peroneus Longus Muscle

Linford CW, Hopkins JT, Schulthies SS, Freland B, Draper DO, Hunter I. Effects of neuromuscular training on the reaction time and electromechanical delay of the peroneus longus muscle.ObjectiveTo examine the influence of a 6-week neuromuscular training program on the electromechanical delay and reaction time of the peroneus longus muscle.DesignA 2×2 pre-post factorial design.SettingHuman performance research center biomechanics laboratory.ParticipantsThirty-six healthy, physically active, college-age subjects were recruited for this study and 26 completed it. There were 5 men and 8 women in the treatment group (mean age ± standard deviation, 21.9±2.1y; height, 173.7±11.1cm; weight, 67.4±17.8kg) and 6 men and 7 women in the control group (age, 21.8±2.3y; height, 173.7±11.9cm; weight, 70.8±19.4kg). Subjects were not currently experiencing any lower-extremity pathology and had no history of injuries requiring treatment to either lower extremity.InterventionsSubjects in the treatment group completed a 6-week neuromuscular training program involving various therapeutic exercises. Subjects in the control group were asked to continue their normal physical activity during the 6-week period.Main Outcome MeasuresThe electromechanical delay of the peroneus longus was determined by the onset of force contribution after artificial activation, as measured by electromyographic and forceplate data. Reaction time was measured after a perturbation during walking. Data were analyzed using two 2×2 analyses of covariance (covariate pretest score). Group (treatment, control) and sex (male, female) were between-subject factors.ResultsNeuromuscular training caused a decrease in reaction time to perturbation during walking compared with controls (F=4.030, P=.029), while there was a trend toward an increase in electromechanical delay (F=4.227, P=.052). There was no significant difference between sexes or the interaction of sex and treatment in either reaction time or electromechanical delay.ConclusionsThe 6-week training program significantly reduced reaction time of the peroneus longus muscle in healthy subjects. Neuromuscular training may have a beneficial effect on improving dynamic restraint during activity.