Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 14, 2025
The Impact of Motor Task Conditions on Goal-Directed Arm Reaching Kinematics and Trunk Compensation in Chronic Stroke Survivors
Published on: May 2, 2021
Influence of Anticipation and Motor-Motor Task Performance on Cutting Biomechanics in Healthy Men
Grant E Norte1, Taylor R Frendt1, Amanda M Murray2
1Athletic Training Program, University of Toledo, OH.
Context:
Biomechanical analyses of cutting tasks have demonstrated kinematic differences associated with the noncontact knee-injury risk when the movement direction is unanticipated. Motor-motor dual tasks occur within dynamic environments and change the demand for attentional resources needed to complete athletic maneuvers, which may contribute to injury risk.
Objective:
To investigate the influence of anticipation and motor-motor task performance on cutting biomechanics.
Design:
Cross-sectional study.
Setting:
Laboratory.
Patients Or Other Participants:
A total of 32 healthy, recreationally active men (age = 23.1 ± 3.6 years, height = 180.0 ± 7.0 cm, mass = 81.3 ± 17.3 kg) who self-reported regular participation in cutting sports.
Intervention(S):
Participants performed a 45° side-step cut on the dominant limb in a random order of conditions: anticipation (anticipated, unanticipated) and task (no ball throw, ball fake, ball throw).
Main Outcome Measure(S):
Triplanar trunk, hip, and knee angles were assessed throughout the stance phase using 3-dimensional motion capture. Data were analyzed using a time series of means calculated from initial contact to toe-off (0%-100%) with 90% confidence intervals. Mean differences between conditions were identified as regions of nonoverlapping confidence intervals, and those that occurred during the region of peak vertical ground reaction force (0%-25%) are presented.
Results:
Regardless of anticipation, attending to a ball (ball throw) resulted in more trunk extension (range = 2.9°-3.7°) and less lateral trunk flexion toward the cutting direction (range = 5.2°-5.9°). Planning to attend to a ball (ball fake) resulted in less lateral trunk flexion toward the cutting direction (4.7°). During unanticipated cutting, more trunk rotation away from the cutting direction was observed when attending to a ball (range = 5.3°-7.1°). The interaction of anticipation and task had a similar influence on sagittal- and frontal-plane trunk position.
Conclusions:
Motor-motor task performance and its interaction with anticipation induced an upright, neutral trunk position during side-step cutting, which has been associated with the risk for noncontact knee injury. Promoting task complexity during rehabilitation and injury-prevention programs may better prepare individuals to succeed when performing high-risk athletic maneuvers.
