Predictors of Frontal Plane Knee Excursion during Functional Weight Bearing Tasks in Young Athletes

Ahmed F Elhalawaty, Salwa F Abdelmagid, Ebtessam F Gomaa, Walid R Awadallah

Ahmed F Elhalawaty, Salwa F Abdelmagid, Ebtessam F Gomaa, Walid R Awadallah – Predictors of Frontal Plane Knee Excursion during Functional Weight Bearing Tasks in Young Athletes. Fizjoterapia Polska 2020; 20(1); 106-112

Abstract
Background. The knee joint complex is one of the most commonly injured areas of the body in athletes. Excessive frontal plane displacement of the knee joint is considered a risk factor for multiple knee pathologies such as meniscal, anterior cruciate ligament and patellofemoral joint injuries, however, the biomechanical factors that contribute to this loading pattern need further investigations. Objective. The purpose of this study was to investigate clinical predictors of frontal plane knee excursion during single leg landing tasks. Methods. One hundred and twenty eight (male) football players participated in this study. Their mean age was (14.6 ± 1.7) years, mean BMI was (21.3 ± 2.1)kg/m2. The knee frontal plane projection angle was measured by digital video camera using single leg landing tasks after that clinical predictors affecting knee joint frontal plane projection angle assessed (tibiofemoral angle measured using digital video camera, peak isometric strength of hip and knee muscles strength assessed using portable HHD, static postural balance assessed using biodex balance system, foot posture assessed using foot posture index, knee proprioception assessed through measuring weightbearing joint position sense). Results. Statistical analysis using stepwise multiple regression indicated that of the included variables, only static tibiofemoral alignment, hip external/internal rotators ratio and knee joint position sense absolute error predict the knee frontal plane projection angle during landing tasks (r2 = 0.15, p = 0.00; r2 = −0.089, p = 0.00 and r2 = 0.336, p = 0.00 respectively). Together these variables only explained 30% of the variance in knee frontal plane projection angle. Conclusion. Tibiofemoral angle, knee joint proprioception and hip external/internal rotators ratio were found to play great role in controlling knee frontal plane motion, therefore the design of knee rehabilitation programs should include improving these factors to enable targeted prevention strategies to reduce injury rates.

Key words:
knee injuries, risk factors, kinematics, 2-dimensional motion analysis

Pobierz/Download/下載/Cкачиваете Download for free (only English version)