Technique determinants of knee joint loads during pivoting in female soccer players

Jones, PA; Herrington, LC; Graham-Smith, P

Abstract

Background: No previous studies have investigated the optimal technique for pivoting with regard to reducing
peak knee abduction moments and potential knee injury risk. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships
between technique characteristics and peak knee abduction moments during pivoting.
Methods: Twenty-seven female soccer players [mean (SD); age: 21 (3.8) years, height: 1.67 (0.07)m, and mass:
60.0 (7.2) kg] participated in the study. Three dimensional motion analyses of pivots on the right leg were performed
using 10 Qualysis ‘Pro reflex’ infrared cameras (240 Hz). Ground reaction forces were collected from
two AMTI force platforms (1200 Hz) embedded into the running track to examine penultimate and final contact.
Pearson's correlation coefficients, co-efficients of determination and stepwise multiple regression were used to
explore relationships between a range of technique parameters and peak knee abduction moments. Significance
was set at P < 0.05.
Findings: Stepwise multiple regression found that initial foot progression and initial knee abduction angles together
could explain 35% (30% adjusted) of the variation in peak knee abduction moments (F(2,26) = 6.499,
P = 0.006).
Interpretation: The results of the present study suggest that initial-foot progression and knee abduction angles are
potential technique factors to lower knee abduction moments during pivoting.

Citation

Jones, P., Herrington, L., & Graham-Smith, P. (2016). Technique determinants of knee joint loads during pivoting in female soccer players. Clinical Biomechanics, 31(1), 107-122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2015.09.012

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 14, 2015
• Online Publication Date: Sep 25, 2015
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2016
• Deposit Date: Jan 26, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 1, 2017
• Journal: Clinical Biomechanics
• Print ISSN: 0268-0033
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Volume: 31
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 107-122
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2015.09.012
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2015.09.012
• Related Public URLs: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/clinbiomech