Model prediction of anterior cruciate ligament force during drop-landings

Pflum, Mary A.<sup>1,2</sup>; Shelburne, Kevin B.<sup>2</sup>; Torry, Michael R.<sup>2</sup>; Decker, Michael J.<sup>1,2</sup>; Pandy, Marcus G.<sup>3</sup>

Affiliations

¹Department of Kinesiology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX

²Steadman◆Hawkins Sports Medicine Foundation, Biomechanics Research Laboratory, Vail, CO

³Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX

Abstract and keywords

Purpose: The aim of this study was to calculate and explain the pattern of force transmitted to the anterior cruciate ligament during soft-style drop-landings. We hypothesized that peak ACL loading is due to the anterior pull of the quadriceps on the tibia, as these muscles develop large eccentric forces upon impact.

Methods: A three-dimensional model of the body was used to simulate drop-landing. The simulation was performed by entering into the model muscle excitation patterns based on experimental EMG. The input excitation patterns were modified to create a performance response of the model that matched experimental data. Joint angles, ground reaction forces, and muscle forces obtained from the landing simulation were then applied to a model of the lower limb that incorporated a three-dimensional model of the knee.

Results: The model ACL was loaded only in the first 25% of the landing phase. Peak ACL force (∼ 0.4 BW) resulted from a complex interaction between the patellar tendon force, the compressive force acting at the tibiofemoral joint, and the force applied by the ground to the lower leg. The patellar tendon force and tibiofemoral contact force both applied significant anterior shear forces to the shank throughout the landing phase. These effects were modulated by another significant posterior shear force applied by the ground reaction, which served to limit the maximum force transmitted to the ACL.

Conclusion: The pattern of ACL force in drop-landing cannot be explained by the anterior pull of the quadriceps force alone.

Keywords: KNEE; JUMPING; LIGAMENT INJURY; QUADRICEPS; SHEAR FORCE; COMPUTER SIMULATION

Links

DOI: 10.1249/01.MSS.0000145467.79916.46

PubMed: 15514512

WoS: 000225004700019

History

Received: 2003-12

Accepted: 2004-07

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Cited By (11)

Year	Entry
2006	Hewett TE, Myer GD, Ford KR. Anterior cruciate ligament injuries in female athletes, I: mechanisms and risk factors. Am J Sports Med. February 2006;34(2):299-311.
2007	Krosshaug T, Nakamae A, Boden BP, Engebretsen L, Smith G, Slauterbeck JR, Hewett TE, Bahr R. Mechanisms of anterior cruciate ligament injury in basketball: video analysis of 39 cases. Am J Sports Med. March 2007;35(3):359-367.
2009	Boden BP, Torg JS, Knowles SB, Hewett TE. Video analysis of anterior cruciate ligament injury: abnormalities in hip and ankle kinematics. Am J Sports Med. February 2009;37(2):252-259.
2005	Krosshaug T, Andersen TE, Olsen O-EO, Myklebust G, Bahr R. Research approaches to describe the mechanisms of injuries in sport: limitations and possibilities. Br J Sports Med. June 1, 2005;39(6):330-339.
2006	Yu B, Lin C-F, Garrett WE. Lower extremity biomechanics during the landing of a stop-jump task. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). March 2006;21(3):297-305.
2007	McLean SG, Felin RE, Suedekum N, Calabrese G, Passerallo A, Joy S. Impact of fatigue on gender-based high-risk landing strategies. Med Sci Sports Exer. March 2007;39(3):502-514.
2008	Tan GQ. The Effects of Mid-Air Adjustments on Knee Joint Loading When Landing from a Jump [Master's thesis]. Iowa State University; 2008.
2009	Meyer EG. Biomechanical Response of the Knee to Injury Level Forces in Sports Loading Scenarios [PhD thesis]. East Lansing, MI: Michigan State University; 2009.
2016	Chizewski MG. Tibial Torsion Influences Lower Body Joint Kinematics and Kinetics in Women With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury During Squatting and Landing [PhD thesis]. Edmonton, AB: University of Alberta; 2016.
2014	Morgan KD. Dynamic Simulations and Data Mining of Single-Leg Jump Landing: Implications for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Prevention [PhD thesis]. Knoxville, University of Tennessee; May 2014.
2017	Tomescu SS. Knee Tissue Strains and Effectiveness of a Novel Functional ACL Knee Brace During Dynamic in-Vitro Loading [Master's thesis]. University of Toronto; 2017.