Association Between Anatomical Characteristics, Knee Laxity, Muscle Strength, and Peak Knee Valgus During Vertical Drop-Jump Landings

Agnethe NILSTAD, Tron KROSSHAUG, Kam Ming MOK, Roald BAHR, Thor Einar ANDERSEN

Research output: Journal PublicationsJournal Article (refereed)peer-review

28 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Study Design Controlled laboratory study; cross-sectional. Objectives To investigate the relationship among anatomical variables, knee laxity, muscle strength, and peak knee valgus angles during a vertical drop-jump landing task. Background Excessive knee valgus has been associated with anterior cruciate ligament injury in females; however, the influence of anatomical characteristics, knee laxity, and muscle strength on frontal plane knee motion is not completely understood. Methods Norwegian elite female soccer players (n = 279; mean ± SD age, 21 ± 4 years; height, 167 ± 6 cm; body mass, 63 ± 7 kg) were evaluated from 2009 through 2012. The evaluation included 3-D motion analysis of a vertical drop jump, anatomical measures (height, static knee valgus, leg length, and static foot posture), knee laxity, and muscle strength (quadriceps, hamstrings, and hip abductors). Multiple linear regression analyses were used to investigate the relationships among anatomical characteristics, knee laxity, muscle strength, and peak knee valgus angles. Results Anatomical characteristics explained 11% of the variance in peak knee valgus angles (P<.001), with height and static knee valgus being significant predictors. Conclusion Greater body height and static knee valgus were associated with greater peak knee valgus angles during a vertical drop-jump landing task. However, these variables only explained 11% of the variance in peak knee valgus.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-8
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy
Volume45
Issue number12
Early online date30 Nov 2015
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2015
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

The authors certify that they have no affiliations with or financial involvement in any organization or entity with a direct financial interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in the article.

Funding

The study was approved by the Regional Committee for Medical Research Ethics, the South-Eastern Norway Regional Health Authority, and the Norwegian Social Science Data Services, Norway. The Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center has been established at the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences through generous grants from the Royal Norwegian Ministry of Culture, the South-Eastern Norway Regional Health Authority, the International Olympic Committee, the Norwegian Olympic Committee and Confederation of Sport, and Norsk Tipping AS. This study was also supported by grants from the FIFA Medical Assessment and Research Centre. The authors certify that they have no affiliations with or financial involvement in any organization or entity with a direct financial interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in the article.

Keywords

  • anterior cruciate ligament
  • biomechanics
  • female
  • football
  • screening
  • soccer

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Association Between Anatomical Characteristics, Knee Laxity, Muscle Strength, and Peak Knee Valgus During Vertical Drop-Jump Landings'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this