The Effect of Quadriceps Femoris, Hamstring, and Placebo Eccentric Fatigue on Knee and Ankle Dynamics During Crossover Cutting

John A. Nyland, Robert Shapiro, David N. M. Caborn, Arthur J. Nitz, Terry R. Malone

This study attempted to determine the effect of eccentric quadriceps femoris, hamstring, and placebo fatigue on stance limb dynamics during the plant-and-cut phase of a crossover cut. Twenty female college students (task trained) were tested. Hamstring fatigue resulted in decreased peak impact knee flexion moments (p = .01), increased internal tibial rotation at peak knee flexion (p = .05), and decreased peak ankle dorsiflexion (p = .05). Quadriceps fatigue resulted in increased peak ankle dorsiflexion moments (p < .01), decreased peak posterior braking forces (p = .01), decreased peak knee extension moments (p = .01), delayed peak knee flexion (p = .01), delayed peak propulsive forces (p < .01), and delayed subtalar peak inversion moments (p = .05). Fatigue of either muscle group produced earlier peak ankle plantar flexion moments (p = .05) and decreased peak propulsive knee flexion moments (p = .05). Variables requiring further study (p = .1) provide discussion data. Soleus, gastrocnemius, tibialis anterior, and deep posterior compartment calf muscles serve as dynamic impact force attenuators, compensating for fatigued proximal muscles.

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 1997;25(3):171-184.

Key Words: women, muscle, fatigue, compensatory dynamics

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