An abnormal pattern of neuromuscular pre-activation during side-cutting maneuvers has been associated with anterior cruciate ligament injuries. However, it is not known if this neuromuscular pattern is associated with postural and anatomical alterations.

To describe the frequency of abnormal neuromuscular patterns during side-cutting maneuvers and explore its association with postural and anatomical characteristics in ultimate sportsmen.

A cross-sectional study was carried out on ultimate athletes who underwent a postural and anatomic assessment and neuromuscular activity by surface electromyography of the thigh during the side-cutting maneuvers.

The frequency of abnormal neuromuscular pattern during side-cutting maneuver was 22.6%. Differences were found between those with and without abnormal neuromuscular pattern in the ratio of pre-activation of the vastus lateralis (VL) muscle and semitendinosus (ST) muscle (0.46; 95% CI: 0.36 to 0.56; P < .001) and the difference between pre-activation of the VL muscle and ST muscle (30.39%; 95% CI: 20.85 to 39.92; P < .001). There was no association between postural and anatomical characteristics and abnormal neuromuscular pattern after adjusting for age, sex, body fat percentage and body mass index (P > .05).

A frequency of 22.6% abnormal neuromuscular pre-activation was found, which was higher in men than women. Abnormal neuromuscular pre-activation during side-cutting maneuver is independent of postural and anatomical characteristics of lower limb in ultimate athletes.