Co-contraction test

The Co-contraction test is a test of agility and kinesthetic awareness of lateral movement, commonly used in the world of sport and training. This test is often used in the final phase of a Functional Re-education in Sport (RFD) programme to return athletes to competition after lower limb injuries, especially in subjects who have undergone anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.

• Required material: A flat non-slip surface, cones and markings to mark out the course of the circuit, a tape measure and a stopwatch. In addition to the material already described, for this test we will need a Velcro belt, a long rubber tube (1.22 m long and 2.54 cm in diameter) and a wall or a metal pole anchored to the ground where we will fix the rubber tube 1.54 m above the ground.

• Procedure: To carry out this test, the first thing to do is to place the Velcro belt around the subject’s waist. The belt must be attached to the rubber tube (1.22 m long) at one end and secured to a wall or pole (1.54 m high) at the other end. As can be seen in the illustration, cones will be placed, or even a semicircle with a radius of 2.44 m will be painted on the ground to mark the test route (A-B). The aim of the test is for the subject to complete 5 runs (A-B) of the 180° semicircle, moving sideways, with the tension applied to the overstretched rubber tube, i.e. the run (A-B-A-B-B-A) must always be done on the outside of the cones/boundary lines (2.44 m from the wall or post). The participant starts the test with his/her feet on both sides of the starting cone/line (A) and on the evaluator’s signal the subject starts the run at maximum speed. The test is finished when the subject returns to the cone A and crosses the finish line with any part of the body, at which point the stopwatch is stopped and the mark achieved is recorded. Any attempt in which the participant does not step on the cone/line (B) before making the change of direction or if he/she does not cross the outside of the cones will be considered null and void and will not be counted.

• Assessment: It is measured in seconds (sg) and the subject has a maximum of 3 attempts. In Fisicalcoach, you will be able to obtain the best mark, as well as the mean or median.

• Remarks: This test was designed to reproduce rotational forces on the knee that require tibial translation and hamstring contraction.