Citation

Havens KL, Sigward SM. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 2014; 47(4): 818-824.

Affiliation

University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1249/MSS.0000000000000470

PMID

25102291

Abstract

PURPOSE: Quick changes of direction during running (cutting) are necessary for successful performance of many sports but are associated with non-contact ACL injuries. Currently, it is not known how biomechanics associated with fast performance of cutting tasks relate to the mechanics associated with increased risk for injury. Without this knowledge, the technique emphasized in injury prevention programs may be at odds with the demands of cutting tasks. The purpose of this study was to: 1) identify whole body and/or joint mechanics that are related to completion times of a 45 and 90 degree cut, and from these variables, 2) determine which variables are predictors of performance (i.e., completion time) and/or ACL injury risk (i.e., peak knee adductor moment).

METHODS: Whole body and joint biomechanics were analyzed during the execution of two sidestep cutting maneuvers (to 45 and 90 degrees) in twenty-five healthy, experienced, soccer players. Pearson's correlation coefficients and stepwise multiple regression were used to analyze relationships between variables.

RESULTS: The variables predictive of 45-degree cut performance included hip extensor moment and hip sagittal plane power generation as well as medial-lateral (ML) center of mass to center of pressure separation distance. This separation distance was also predictive of peak knee adductor moment. During the 90-degree cut, ML ground reaction force impulse and hip frontal plane power generation were predictive of performance, while hip internal rotation and knee extensor moment were predictive of peak knee adductor moment.

CONCLUSIONS: These relationships have important implications for ACL injury prevention programs. While restricting frontal and transverse plane movement has been emphasized in many programs, these movement recommendations may not be appropriate for cutting tasks performed to greater angles.

Language: en