Predictors of Frontal Plane Knee Moments During Side-Step Cutting to 45 and 110 Degrees in Men and Women: Implications for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Cross-sectional laboratory biomechanical study
PubMed 25290102 · doi:10.1097/JSM.0000000000000155
What was done
Researchers evaluated 45 healthy young adult soccer athletes (20 females, 25 males, aged 16–23 years) performing randomly cued side-step cutting maneuvers at 45 and 110 degrees in a biomechanics laboratory. They measured kinematics (knee valgus angle, hip abduction, and hip internal rotation) and kinetics (vertical, posterior, and lateral ground reaction forces [GRFs], as well as frontal plane knee valgus moments) to evaluate sex differences and determine predictors of knee valgus loading for both cut angles.
What was found
Knee valgus moments were higher during 110-degree cuts than 45-degree cuts, and female athletes displayed greater knee valgus moments than males (exact numeric values and effect sizes were not reported in the abstract). Linear regression models showed that vertical GRF, lateral GRF, hip internal rotation angle, and knee valgus angle accounted for 63% of the variance in knee valgus moment during 45-degree cutting. For 110-degree cutting, posterior GRF, hip internal rotation angle, and knee valgus angle accounted for 41% of the variance.
Why it matters
Sharper change-of-direction angles place greater biomechanical demands on the knee, substantially increasing valgus loading that is linked to ACL injury risk. Targeting multi-planar kinematics—specifically reducing shear ground reaction forces, knee valgus collapse, and hip internal rotation—may guide neuromuscular training programs.
Limits
The abstract lacks absolute numerical kinetic and kinematic values, standard deviations, and specific p-values. The cross-sectional, simulated laboratory environment may not fully replicate real-game decision-making or fatigue. ACL injury risk is inferred from surrogate mechanical loading variables rather than prospective injury tracking.
Cited by
- supports Women experience greater medial shear forces at the knee during movement due to pelvic anatomy, putting them at elevated risk for ACL injuries.