681 MEP012 – Knee kinematics and kinetics during sport-specific cutting and landing maneuvers in female university soccer players: implications for acl injury prevention

AbstractBackground High knee abduction moments (KAM) and valgus angles are associated with non-contact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries.Objective Determine if KAMs and knee valgus angles are greater with increasing change of direction (COD) and landing task complexity in female soccer players. Design Cross Sectional Study. Setting Controlled laboratory setting. Participants Fourteen female varsity soccer players (20.1 ± 1.1 years, 1.65 ± 0.05m, 61.4 ± 7.8kg). Assessment of Risk Factors Five tests were performed on a force plate (2400Hz) with simultaneous 3D motion capture (240Hz): (1) an anticipated side-shuffle 180° pivot turn with a ball pass, (2) an anticipated linear run 180° pivot turn with a ball pass, (3) an unanticipated 90° cut in reaction to a ball pass, (4) a single leg vertical drop jump (SLVDJ) and (5) a soccer header task with a 135° cut in the direction the ball was headed. Main Outcome Measurements Peak KAMs and knee valgus angles for each task.Results Unanticipated CODs had greater dominant leg knee valgus angles (7.68 ± 1.37 deg) compared to anticipated CODs (6.98 ± 1.12 deg). Similar knee valgus angles were demonstrated in the non-dominant legs (6.12 ± 0.97 deg vs. 6.41 deg ± 1.11). Peak KAMs (Nm/kg) were greater in landings compared to CODs (0.88 ± 0.13 vs. 0.42 ± 0.17). The SLVDJ had greater mean KAM values compared to the heading task (right leg 0.88 ± 0.13 vs. 0.72 ± 0.30, left leg 0.77 ± 0.09 vs. 0.59 ± 0.30). Conclusions The results suggested that knee valgus angles are greater during unanticipated vs. anticipated CODs. However, these results are not consistent between the dominant and non-dominant legs. Meanwhile, KAMs are greater in SLVDJ compared to heading tasks. Therefore, it may be beneficial to consider the task complexity and leg dominance when developing specific injury prevention programs.