Knee and Hip Angle and Moment Adaptations During Cutting Tasks in Subjects With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Deficiency Classified as Noncopers

Jeff R. Houck, Andrew Duncan, Kenneth E. De Haven

DOI: 10.2519/jospt.2005.1763

Study Design: Two-factor mixed-design study, with factors including group (control and noncoper) and task (sidestep, crossover, and straight). Objectives: To compare the knee and hip joint angles and moments of control subjects and subjects with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficient knee classified as noncopers, during a sidestep, crossover, and straight-ahead task. Background: Subjects with ACL deficiency primarily note difficulty with cutting tasks as opposed to straight-ahead tasks. Yet, previous studies have primarily focused on straight-ahead tasks. Methods and Measures: Fifteen subjects with ACL deficiency classified as noncopers, based on the number of giving-way episodes (>1) and global question of knee function (<60%), were included in this study. These subjects (10 male, 5 female; age range, 18-49 years) were compared to a healthy control group (7 male, 7 female; age range, 19-47 years). Position data collected at 60 Hz were combined with anthropometric and ground reaction force data collected at 420 Hz to estimate 3-dimensional knee and hip joint angles and moments. All subjects performed 3 tasks including a step and 45° sidestep cut, step and 45° crossover cut, and step and proceed straight. Two-way mixed-model ANOVAs were used to compare peak angle and moment variables between 10% to 30% of stance. Results: The ACL-deficient noncoper group had 1.8° to 5.7° less knee flexion angle compared to the control group across tasks (P<.043). The ACL-deficient noncoper group used 22% to 27% lower knee extensor moment during weight acceptance compared to the control group (P<.001). The sagittal plane hip extensor moments were 34% to 39% higher in the ACL-deficient noncoper group compared to the control group (P<.025). Hip frontal (P<.037) and transverse plane (P<.04) moments also distinguished the ACL-deficient noncoper from the control group. Conclusions: This study suggests that individuals who do not cope well after ACL injury rely on a hip control strategy during cutting tasks.

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2005;35(8):531-540. doi:10.2519/jospt.2005.1763

Key Words: ACL, biomechanics, knee stability

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