Association Between Anatomical Characteristics, Knee Laxity, Muscle Strength, and Peak Knee Valgus During Vertical Drop-Jump Landings.
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.
['Nilstad|Agnethe|A|', 'Krosshaug|Tron|T|', 'Mok|Kam-Ming|KM|', 'Bahr|Roald|R|', 'Andersen|Thor Einar|TE|']
D000293:Adolescent D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena D001827:Body Height D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies D005260:Female D006801:Humans D007593:Joint Instability D007718:Knee Injuries D007719:Knee Joint D053580:Muscle Strength D059385:Plyometric Exercise D012307:Risk Factors D055815:Young Adult
anterior cruciate ligament female soccer biomechanics football screening