Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 19, 2026
Influence of Step-Width Manipulation on Running Biomechanics
Published on: February 28, 2025
Do exercises used in injury prevention programmes modify cutting task biomechanics? A systematic review with
Evangelos Pappas1, Elizabeth J Nightingale2, Milena Simic2
1Discipline of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Lidcombe, New South Wales, Australia Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Center of Ioannina, School of Medicine, Ioannina, Greece.
Objective:
Some injury prevention programmes aim to reduce the risk of ACL rupture. Although the most common athletic task leading to ACL rupture is cutting, there is currently no consensus on how injury prevention programmes influence cutting task biomechanics. To systematically review and synthesise the scientific literature regarding the influence of injury prevention programme exercises on cutting task biomechanics.
Design:
The three largest databases (Medline, EMBASE and CINAHL) were searched for studies that investigated the effect of injury prevention programmes on cutting task biomechanics. When possible meta-analyses were performed.
Results:
Seven studies met the inclusion criteria. Across all studies, a total of 100 participants received exercises that are part of ACL injury prevention programmes and 76 participants served in control groups. Most studies evaluated variables associated with the quadriceps dominance theory. The meta-analysis revealed decreased lateral hamstrings electromyography activity (p ≤ 0.05) while single studies revealed decreased quadriceps and increased medial hamstrings activity and decreased peak knee flexion moment. Findings from single studies reported that ACL injury prevention exercises reduce neuromuscular deficits (knee valgus moment, lateral trunk leaning) associated with the ligament and trunk dominance theories, respectively. The programmes we analysed appear most effective when they emphasise individualised biomechanical technique correction and target postpubertal women.
Conclusions:
The exercises used in injury prevention programmes have the potential to improve cutting task biomechanics by ameliorating neuromuscular deficits linked to ACL rupture, especially when they emphasise individualised biomechanical technique correction and target postpubertal female athletes.
