By Jordana Bieze Foster
Two recent studies underscore the association between core muscle function and risk factors for anterior cruciate ligament injury.
In 30 healthy volunteers performing a sidestep cutting task, researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that increased hip adduction moment and limited trunk rotation in the new direction were significantly associated with increased internal knee varus moment. Increased hip internal rotation moment and excessive forward trunk flexion were significantly associated with increased knee external rotation moment. The findings were epublished in late July by the American Journal of Sports Medicine.
Meanwhile, in 46 healthy volunteers performing an unanticipated cutting task, researchers from the Ohio State University in Columbus found that increased peak knee adduction moment was significantly associated with greater average cocontraction of the L5 extensor muscles, which the authors hypothesized could limit sagittal plane trunk flexion. The findings were epublished in late July by the Journal of Biomechanics.
Sources:
Frank B, Bell DR, Norcross MF, et al. Trunk and hip biomechanics influence anterior cruciate loading mechanisms in physically active participants. Am J Sports Med 2013 Jul 24. [Epub ahead of print]
Jamison ST, McNally MP, Schmitt LC, Chaudhari AMW. The effects of core muscle activation on dynamic trunk position and knee abduction moments: Implications for ACL injury. J Biomech 2013 Jul 25. [Epub ahead of print]
