STATICS BASED APPROACH TO EVALUATE THE EFFECT OF LANDING POSTURES ON KNEE FRONTAL PLANE MOMENT IN SINGLE LEG LANDING.—IMPLICATIONS FOR DETERMINING THE RISK-ELEVATING MOVEMENT FOR ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT INJURY— / 体力科学

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to increase knowledge about the landing posture that induces anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Analysis was done to determine the knee abduction moment during single limb landing using our previously proposed mathematical model. Our model has proven that the criterion of knee abduction occurring is when the acting line of the ground reaction force is directed laterally to the lower leg segment. Based on this, we predicted a medial shift of the knee joint and a lateral leaning of the trunk segment to induce the knee abduction moment. To verify the results of our model prediction, we conducted a motion analysis experiment with a single limb-landing task. Three male and four female subjects participated in the experiment. Subjects were instructed to fall from a 30 cm high box and land on a target which was assigned by PC-controlled laser pointers. Since the landing target was unexpectedly moved during landing, the subjects were perturbed and exhibited various landing postures. The results of the landing experiment showed that trunk leaning laterally towards the landing limb and medially shifted knee alignment induced the knee abduction moment. These results are consistent with the results predicted by our model. In conclusion, appropriate control of both lower limb alignment and trunk motion in the frontal plane in essential for reducing the risk of ACL injury.