Associations between lower extremity posture and peak knee valgus moment during side-step cutting

Abstract

Peak knee valgus moment is theorized to be a risk factor predisposing athlete to ACL injury in noncontact episode.1' Lower extremity movement executed with high speed and abruptly change in direction such as side-step cutting is susceptible for non-contact ACL injury. Interestingly, peak knee valgus moment was found significantly in females when compared to their male counterparts during side-step cutting.3'4 It has been reported that the non-contact ACL injury is most likely occurred during the initial phase of side-step cutting.5 Understanding in lower extremity posture associated with peak knee valgus moment would be beneficial to promote movement strategies for non-contact ACL injury prevention. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between peak knee valgus moment and hip, knee and ankle joint angles during side-step cutting.