Related Experiment Videos
Anticipatory effects on knee joint loading during running and cutting maneuvers
T F Besier1, D G Lloyd, T R Ackland
1Department of Human Movement & Exercise Science, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
|July 11, 2001
Summary
Unanticipated cutting maneuvers in sports significantly increase knee joint stress, raising the risk of noncontact ligament injuries. Training should focus on reacting to unpredictable movements to mitigate these risks.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Sports Medicine
- Injury Prevention
Background:
- Cutting maneuvers are common in sports and can lead to knee ligament injuries.
- Understanding the external knee joint loads during these movements is crucial for injury prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of unanticipated cutting maneuvers on external knee joint loads.
- To assess the associated risk of ligament injury during unplanned cutting movements.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a 50-Hz VICON motion analysis system to capture lower limb kinematics in 11 healthy males.
- Subjects performed running and cutting tasks under preplanned (PP) and unanticipated (UN) conditions.
- Calculated 3D knee joint loads using a kinematic model and force plate data.
Main Results:
- Knee joint flexion/extension moments were comparable between PP and UN conditions.
- Varus/valgus and internal/external rotation moments were up to twice as large during UN cutting tasks compared to PP conditions.
Conclusions:
- Unplanned cutting maneuvers elevate the risk of noncontact knee ligament injuries due to increased rotational and varus/valgus moments.
- Limited time for postural adjustments, like foot placement relative to the center of mass, contributes to this increased risk.
- Training should emphasize drills for unanticipated changes of direction, plyometrics, and improved visual cue interpretation to enhance preplanning time.