Anterior Tibiofemoral Intersegmental Forces during Landing are Predicted by Passive Restraint Mechanics

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Randy J. Schmitz, Associate Professor (Creator)
Sandra J. Shultz, Professor and Chair (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/

Abstract: Background: Passive restraint capabilities may influence sagittal plane knee joint mechanics during activity. This study aimed to determine if measures associated with passive restraint of anterior translation of the tibia are predictive of peak anterior knee shear force during landing.Methods: Passive restraint measures were assessed via joint arthrometry and during 40% body weight simulated weight acceptance using recreationally active students (73 F, 42 M; 21.8 ± 2.9 yr, 1.69 ± 0.1 m, 68.9 ± 14.1 kg). Anterior knee laxity (mm) at 133 N and initial (0–20 N) and terminal (100–130 N) anterior stiffnesses (N/mm) were calculated from arthrometer data. Peak anterior tibial acceleration (m·s-2) relative to the femur was assessed via electromagnetic position sensors during 40% body weight acceptance trials. Peak knee shear force was assessed during double-leg drop jumps.Results: Sex specific linear stepwise regressions revealed that in females, increasing peak tibial acceleration (5.1 ± 1.8 m·s- 2) (R2? = 7.3%, P? = 0.021), increasing initial anterior stiffness (31.0 ± 14.0 N/mm) (R2? = 5.9%, P? = 0.032), and decreasing terminal anterior stiffness (43.4 ± 17.4 N/mm) (R2? = 4.9%, P? = 0.046) collectively predicted greater peak knee shear forces (66.6 ± 12.03% BW) (multiple R2 = 18.1%). No male regressions were significant.Conclusions: Sagittal laxity measures are associated with anterior knee shear loads during landing in females. Greater tibial acceleration during early axial load along with greater initial and lesser terminal anterior stiffnesses predicted increasing anterior knee shear forces. Future work should investigate the combined contribution of passive and active restraints to high-risk ACL biomechanics.

Additional Information

Publication
Knee 2013; 20(6):493-499.
Language: English
Date: 2013
Keywords
Tibial acceleration, Laxity, ACL

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