## 4 Discussion
Moreover, ACL_NDL players demonstrate higher peak GMax actEMG values in the injured limb compared to the non-injured limb. However, there were no differences observed between ACL and NI players in the peak torque of force developed. Similarly, ACL_NDL players did not show differences in the peak torque of force between their limbs. As previously explained, during an isometric test, higher motor unit rate coding and recruitment must be associated with a higher rate of force development [54; 55]. Nevertheless, in this case, this pattern could be the result of a dysfunctional adaptation in which the GMax exhibits an inefficient attempt at motor unit recruitment. Because of isometric resistance, the GMax tried to recruit a high rate of type I fibers, which comprise 52-68% of the muscle's fibers, oriented for endurance [61]. However, these fibers do not respond correctly or become prematurely inhibited. This could be due to proprioceptive failure resulting from compensatory muscular reactions aimed at overcoming the post-surgical weakness of this muscle. Consequently, the firing rate of the motor unit must increase to recruit type II fibers, enhancing effective force. Nevertheless,this situation of hyperreactivity in the GMax may be compensating for the actEMG deficit of the BF due to their functional synergistic relationship. This may likely lead to early muscle fatigue, preventing the GMax from acting as a protector during high-intensity actions when the ACL is at risk of rupture. No other muscles obtained significant differences in peak or average actEMG between ACL and NI players for DL or NDL nor in the comparison between limbs. In fact, most of the effect sizes observed between groups are small or medium, particularly in the VL. This may be because all players in the study, both ACL and NI, were competing at a high level at the time of the study. As explained by [PERSON] et al., 12 months post-surgery, actEMG in the Q tends to equalize, while actEMG in the H continues to show a significant imbalance between the injured and non-injured limbs in ACL players [8]. Similarly, [PERSON] et al. found in their study that actEMG differences in the VL between ACL-injured and NI players are not statistically significant [11]. In summary, the laterality analysis revealed that the NDL exhibited greater actEMG muscle imbalances both in the comparison between ACL and NI players and in the comparison between limbs in ACL players, DL and NDL. Since players typically have better proprioceptive muscle representation in the DL, it may be more difficult to physiologically recover the actEMG when ACL injury affects the NDL limb [62; 63]. [PERSON] et al. emphasized that ACL players injured in the NDL showed weaker strength compared to those injured in the DL up to 6 months post-surgery, with differences being compensated by 12 months [63]. This suggests that players injured in the DL may more readily develop compensation strategies, assisting in the correction of biomechanical imbalances and facilitating their return to play. Finally, in the current study, in the analysis between limbs, NI players obtained significantly higher values in peak torque of force in the Q in the DL compared to the NDL. This imbalance could result from two combined mechanisms. Firstly, as previously explained, players typically have better proprioceptive muscle representation in DL [62; 63]. Secondly, football is a sport conditioned by ball contact through kicking. This situation favors the predominance of DL, which is usually preferred for kicking [40; 64]. Female football players have been shown to perform between an average of 50 and 110 kicks during an elite soccer match [65]. This functional movement involves knee extension mediated by the Q. Additionally, female players perform between 70 and 190 sprits during a match, which usually involves hip flexion, also mediated by the quadriceps [64]. This high rate of kicking and sprinting activities promotes the overdevelopment of the Q.