Validity of insoles for initial contact detection and corresponding medial hamstring muscle pre-activity during side cutting

Reduced electromyography (EMG) pre-activity (activity prior to initial contact) in the medial hamstring, i.e., semitendinosus (ST), during side-cutting maneuver is associated with a higher risk of sustaining a non-contact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, in female handball and football players.[1] Traditionally, studies investigating neuromuscular pre-activity in lower limbs during side cutting maneuvers are conducted in laboratories with instrumented force plates due to the requirement of a valid detection of initial contact (IC). For that reason, this neuromuscular screening test has not been feasible in sports practices.