Biomechanical Effects of a 6-Week Change-of-Direction Technique Modification Intervention on Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Risk

Dos'Santos, Thomas; Thomas, Christopher; Comfort, Paul; Jones, Paul A.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the biomechanical effects of a 6-week change-of-direction (COD) technique modification intervention on anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury risk (i.e., multiplanar knee joint loads) during 45° (CUT45) and 90° (CUT90) side-step cutting. A nonrandomized, controlled 6-week intervention study was administrated. Fifteen male multidirectional sport athletes formed the intervention group (IG) who participated in two 30-minute COD technique modification sessions per week, whereas 12 male multidirectional sport athletes formed the control group and continued their normal training. Subjects performed 6 trials of the CUT45 and CUT90 task whereby pre-to-post intervention changes in lower-limb and trunk kinetics and kinematics were evaluated using three-dimensional motion and ground reaction force analysis. Two-way mixed analyses of variance revealed no significant interaction effects of group for CUT45 and CUT90 multiplanar knee joint loads (p ≥ 0.116, η2 ≤ 0.096); however, considerable individual variation was observed (positive (n = 5-8) and negative responders (n = 7-8)). Based on IG group means, COD technique modification resulted in no meaningful reductions in multiplanar knee joint loads. However, individually, considerable variation was observed, with "higher-risk" subjects generally responding positively, and subjects initially considered "low-risk" tending to increase their multiplanar knee joint loads, albeit to magnitudes not considered hazardous or "high-risk." Change-of-direction technique modification training is a simple, effective training method, requiring minimal equipment that can reduce knee joint loads and potential ACL injury risk in "higher-risk" subjects without compromising performance. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2021 by the National Strength & Conditioning Association.]

Citation

Dos'Santos, T., Thomas, C., Comfort, P., & Jones, P. A. (2021). Biomechanical Effects of a 6-Week Change-of-Direction Technique Modification Intervention on Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Risk. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 35(8), 2133-2144. https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0000000000004075

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 1, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Jun 11, 2021
• Publication Date: Aug 1, 2021
• Deposit Date: Jul 7, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 11, 2022
• Journal: Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
• Print ISSN: 1064-8011
• Electronic ISSN: 1533-4287
• Publisher: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
• Volume: 35
• Issue: 8
• Pages: 2133-2144
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0000000000004075
• Keywords: Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation, Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, General Medicine
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000004075
• Related Public URLs: http://www.nsca-jscr.org/
• Additional Information: Additional Information : ** From PubMed via Jisc Publications Router **Journal IDs: eissn 1533-4287 **Article IDs: pubmed: 34127609; pii: 00124278-900000000-93965 **History: published 11-06-2021