Association of Ankle Dorsiflexion and Landing Forces in Jumping Athletes

2021 ◽  
pp. 194173812110634
Author(s):  
Adalberto Felipe Martinez ◽  
Rodrigo Scattone Silva ◽  
Bruna Lopes Ferreira Paschoal ◽  
Laura Ledo Antunes Souza ◽  
Fábio Viadanna Serrão
Keyword(s):  
Patellar Tendon ◽  
Loading Rate ◽  
Reaction Force ◽  
Ankle Dorsiflexion ◽  
Patellar Tendinopathy ◽  
Plantar Flexor ◽  
Vertical Ground Reaction Force ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Ankle Kinematics ◽  
Tendon Force

Background: Dorsiflexion range of motion restriction has been associated with patellar tendinopathy, but the mechanisms of how dorsiflexion restriction could contribute to knee overload remain unknown. Hypothesis: Peak ankle dorsiflexion and ankle dorsiflexion excursion are negatively associated with peak vertical ground-reaction force (vGRF) and loading rate, and with peak patellar tendon force and loading rate, and positively associated with peak ankle plantar flexor moment. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Level of Evidence: Level 4. Methods: Kinematic and kinetic data of 26 healthy recreational jumping athletes were measured during a single-leg drop vertical jump. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were calculated to establish the association between peak ankle dorsiflexion and ankle dorsiflexion excursion with peak vGRF and vGRF loading rate, with peak patellar tendon force and patellar tendon force loading rate, and with peak ankle plantar flexor moment. Results: Ankle dorsiflexion excursion negatively correlated with peak vGRF loading rate ( r = −0.49; P = 0.011) and positively correlated with peak ankle flexor plantar moment ( r = 0.52; P = 0.006). In addition, there was a positive correlation between peak ankle dorsiflexion and peak vGRF ( r = 0.39; P = 0.05). Conclusion: Ankle kinematics are associated with vGRF loading rate, ankle flexor plantar moment and peak vGRF influencing knee loads, but no association was observed between ankle kinematics and patellar tendon loads. Clinical Relevance: These results suggest that increasing ankle dorsiflexion excursion may be an important strategy to reduce lower limb loads during landings but should not be viewed as the main factor for reducing patellar tendon force.

scholarly journals Differences in Biomechanical Loading Magnitude During a Landing Task in Male Athletes with and without Patellar Tendinopathy

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura S. Pietrosimone ◽  
J. Troy Blackburn ◽  
Erik A. Wikstrom ◽  
David J. Berkoff ◽  
Sean I. Docking ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Patellar Tendon ◽  
Stance Phase ◽  
Load Capacity ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Reaction Force ◽  
Patellar Tendinopathy ◽  
Structural Abnormality ◽  
Vertical Ground Reaction Force ◽  
Male Athletes ◽  
Data Points

ABSTRACT Context: Prior research has not established if overloading or underloading movement profiles are present in symptomatic and asymptomatic athletes with patellar tendon structural abnormality (PTA) compared to healthy athletes. Objective: The purpose was to compare involved limb landing biomechanics between male athletes with and without patellar tendinopathy. Design: Cross-sectional study Setting: Laboratory Patients or Other Participants: 43 males were grouped based on patellar tendon pain & ultrasound imaging of the proximal patellar tendon: symptomatic with PTA (SYM-PTA; n=13; 20±2yrs; 1.8±0.1m; 84±5kg), asymptomatic with PTA (ASYM-PTA; n=15; 21±2yrs; 1.8±0.1m; 82±13kg), and healthy control (CON; n=15; 20±2yrs; 1.8±0.1m; 79±12kg). Main Outcome Measures: 3D biomechanics were collected during double-limb jump-landing. Kinematic (knee flexion angle (KF)) and kinetic (vertical ground reaction force (VGRF); internal knee extension moment (KEM); patellar tendon force (FPT)) variables were analyzed as continuous waveforms during the stance phase for the involved limb. Mean values were calculated for each 1% of stance, normalized over 202 data points (0–100%), and plotted with 95% confidence intervals. Statistical significance was defined as a lack of 95% CI overlap for ≥ 6 consecutive data points. Results: SYM-PTA had lesser KF than CON throughout the stance phase. ASYM-PTA had lesser KF than CON in the early and late stance phase. SYM-PTA group had lesser KEM and FPT than CON in early stance, as well as ASYM-PTA in mid-stance. Conclusions: Male athletes with SYM-PTA demonstrated a patellar tendon load-avoidance profile compared to ASYM-PTA and CON athletes. ASYM-PTA did not show evidence of overloading compared to CON. Our findings support the need for individualized treatments for athletes with tendinopathy to maximize load-capacity. Trial Registry: ClinicalTrials.gov (#XXX).

Distalising tibial tubercle osteotomy decreases patellar tendon force — A treatment rationale for recalcitrant patellar tendinopathy

The Knee ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 871-877 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Dan ◽  
Joseph Cadman ◽  
James McMahon ◽  
William C.H. Parr ◽  
David Broe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Patellar Tendon ◽  
Patellar Tendinopathy ◽  
Tibial Tubercle ◽  
Tibial Tubercle Osteotomy ◽  
Tendon Force

scholarly journals Patellar and Achilles Tendon Stiffness in Elite Soccer Players Assessed Using Myotonometric Measurements

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 157-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iver Cristi-Sánchez ◽  
Claudia Danes-Daetz ◽  
Alejandro Neira ◽  
Wilson Ferrada ◽  
Roberto Yáñez Díaz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Achilles Tendon ◽  
Patellar Tendon ◽  
Professional Training ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Patellar Tendinopathy ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Force Transmission ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Tendon Stiffness ◽  
Handheld Device

Background: Tendon overuse injuries are an issue in elite footballers (soccer players) and may affect tendon function. Achilles and patellar tendinopathy are the most frequent pathologies. Tendon stiffness, the relationship between the force applied to a tendon and the displacement exerted, may help represent tendon function. Stiffness is affected by training and pathology. Nevertheless, information regarding this mechanical property is lacking for elite soccer athletes. Hypothesis: Achilles and patellar tendon stiffness assessed using myotonometric measurements will be greater in elite soccer athletes than in control participants. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Level of Evidence: Level 4. Methods: Forty-nine elite soccer athletes and 49 control participants were evaluated during the 2017 preseason. A handheld device was used to measure Achilles and patellar tendon stiffness. Dominant and nondominant limbs were assessed for both groups. Results: A significantly stiffer patellar tendon was found for both the dominant and the nondominant limb in the elite soccer athletes compared with the control group. Nevertheless, no differences were found in Achilles tendon stiffness between groups. When comparing between playing positions in soccer athletes, no significant differences were found for both tendons. Conclusion: Greater patellar tendon stiffness may be related to an improvement in force transmission during muscle contraction. On the other hand, it seems that after years of professional training, Achilles tendon stiffness does not change, conserving the storing-releasing function of elastic energy. The nonsignificant differences between positions may be attributable to the years of homogeneous training that the players underwent. Clinical Relevance: The present study shows another technique for measuring mechanical properties of tendons in soccer athletes that could be used in clinical settings. In the future, this technique may help clinicians choose the best exercise protocol to address impairments in tendon stiffness.

scholarly journals BIOMECHANICS OF SHOD AND BAREFOOT RUNNING: A LITERATURE REVIEW

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 551-557
Author(s):  
Vitória da Silveira Jahn ◽  
Clara Knierim Correia ◽  
Elisa Dell’Antonio ◽  
Luis Mochizuki ◽  
Caroline Ruschel
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Plantar Flexion ◽  
Reaction Force ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Medial Gastrocnemius ◽  
Vertical Ground Reaction Force ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Barefoot Running ◽  
Foot Strike ◽  
General Studies

ABSTRACT This study aims to analyze and summarize the biomechanical (kinematics, kinetics and neuromuscular) differences between shod and barefoot running, through a literature review. Searches were conducted for complete articles published between 2013 and November 2018 in the Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus and SPORTdiscus databases. The search terms used were Biomechanics, Kinetics, Kinematics, Electromyography, “Surface Electromyography”; and Unshod, Barefoot, Barefeet and Running. The search resulted in 687 articles; after excluding duplicates and selecting by title, abstract and full text, 40 articles were included in the review. The results show that there are important differences in the biomechanics of running when shod or barefoot. In general, studies indicate that in barefoot running: a) individuals present forefoot or midfoot foot strike patterns, while in shod running the typical pattern is the rearfoot strike; (b) greater cadence and shorter stride length are observed; and (c) there is greater knee flexion, lower peak vertical ground reaction force and greater activation of the medial gastrocnemius. In addition, barefoot runners contact the ground with greater plantar flexion, possibly as a strategy to reduce impact when stepping without footwear. These differences, as well as runners’ individual characteristics, should be considered in the prescription of the barefoot running, in order to minimize injuries resulting from the practice. Level of Evidence II; Review.

The Relationship Between Vertical Ground Reaction Force, Loading Rate, and Sound Characteristics During a Single-Leg Landing

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 541-546
Author(s):  
Caroline Lisee ◽  
Tom Birchmeier ◽  
Arthur Yan ◽  
Brent Geers ◽  
Kaitlin O’Hagan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ground Reaction Force ◽  
Loading Rate ◽  
Reaction Force ◽  
Measurement Techniques ◽  
Sound Frequency ◽  
Clinical Population ◽  
Vertical Ground Reaction Force ◽  
Vertical Ground ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Linear Loading

Context: Landing kinetic outcomes are associated with injury risk and may be persistently altered after anterior cruciate ligament injury or reconstruction. However, it is challenging to assess kinetics clinically. The relationship between sound characteristics and kinetics during a limited number of functional tasks has been supported as a potential clinical alternative. Objective: To assess the relationship between kinetics and sound characteristics during a single-leg landing task. Design: Observational Setting: Laboratory. Participants: There was total of 26 healthy participants (15 males/11 females, age = 24.8 [3.6] y, height = 176.0 [9.1] cm, mass = 74.9 [14.4] kg, Tegner Activity Scale = 6.1 [1.1]). Intervention: Participants completed single-leg landings onto a force plate while audio characteristics were recorded. Main Outcome Measures: Peak vertical ground reaction force, linear loading rate, instantaneous loading rate, peak sound magnitude, sound frequency were measured. Means and SDs were calculated for each participant’s individual limbs. Spearman rho correlations were used to assess the relationships between audio characteristics and kinetic outcomes. Results: Peak sound magnitude was positively correlated with normalized peak vertical ground reaction force (ρ = .486, P = .001); linear loading rate (ρ = .491, P = .001); and instantaneous loading rate (ρ = .298, P = .03). Sound frequency was negatively correlated with instantaneous loading rate (ρ = −.444, P = .001). Conclusions: Peak sound magnitude may be more helpful in providing feedback about an individual’s normalized vertical ground reaction force and linear loading rate, and sound frequency may be more helpful in providing feedback about instantaneous loading rate. Further refinement in sound measurement techniques may be required before these findings can be applied in a clinical population.

A 6-Week Transition to Maximal Running Shoes Does Not Change Running Biomechanics

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 968-973 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.J. Hannigan ◽  
Christine D. Pollard
Keyword(s):  
Ground Reaction Force ◽  
Loading Rate ◽  
Impact Force ◽  
Reaction Force ◽  
Vertical Ground Reaction Force ◽  
Risk Of Injury ◽  
Impact Peak ◽  
Running Shoes ◽  
Vertical Ground ◽  
The Impact

Background: A recent study suggested that maximal running shoes may increase the impact force and loading rate of the vertical ground-reaction force during running. It is currently unknown whether runners will adapt to decrease the impact force and loading rate over time. Purpose: To compare the vertical ground-reaction force and ankle kinematics between maximal and traditional shoes before and after a 6-week acclimation period to the maximal shoe. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Participants ran in a traditional running shoe and a maximal running shoe during 2 testing sessions 6 weeks apart. During each session, 3-dimensional kinematics and kinetics were collected during overground running. Variables of interest included the loading rate, impact peak, and active peak of the vertical ground-reaction force, as well as eversion and dorsiflexion kinematics. Two-way repeated measures analyses of variance compared data within participants. Results: No significant differences were observed in any biomechanical variable between time points. The loading rate and impact peak were higher in the maximal shoe. Runners were still everted at toe-off and landed with less dorsiflexion, on average, in the maximal shoe. Conclusion: Greater loading rates and impact forces were previously found in maximal running shoes, which may indicate an increased risk of injury. The eversion mechanics observed in the maximal shoes may also increase the risk of injury. A 6-week transition to maximal shoes did not significantly change any of these measures. Clinical Relevance: Maximal running shoes are becoming very popular and may be considered a treatment option for some injuries. The biomechanical results of this study do not support the use of maximal running shoes. However, the effect of these shoes on pain and injury rates is unknown.

scholarly journals Association between increase in vertical ground reaction force loading rate and pain level in women with patellofemoral pain after a patellofemoral joint loading protocol

The Knee ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 398-405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronaldo Valdir Briani ◽  
Marcella Ferraz Pazzinatto ◽  
Marina Cabral Waiteman ◽  
Danilo de Oliveira Silva ◽  
Fábio Mícolis de Azevedo
Keyword(s):  
Ground Reaction Force ◽  
Patellofemoral Joint ◽  
Loading Rate ◽  
Reaction Force ◽  
Patellofemoral Pain ◽  
Pain Level ◽  
Joint Loading ◽  
Vertical Ground Reaction Force ◽  
Force Loading ◽  
Vertical Ground

Computational Methods Used in the Determination of Loading Rate: Experimental and Clinical Implications

1999 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 404-417 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Mark Woodard ◽  
Margaret K. James ◽  
Stephen P. Messier
Keyword(s):  
Difference Method ◽  
Ground Reaction Force ◽  
Loading Rate ◽  
Reaction Force ◽  
Vertical Force ◽  
Vertical Ground Reaction Force ◽  
Central Difference ◽  
Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis ◽  
Central Difference Method ◽  
Vertical Ground

Our purpose was to compare methods of calculating loading rate to the first peak vertical ground reaction force during walking and provide a rationale for the selection of a loading rate algorithm in the analysis of gait in clinical and research environments. Using vertical ground reaction force data collected from 15 older adults with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis and 15 healthy controls, we: (a) calculated loading rate as the first peak vertical force divided by the time from touchdown until the first peak; (b) calculated loading rate as the slope of the least squares regression line using vertical force and time as the dependent and independent variables, respectively; (c) calculated loading rate over discrete intervals using the Central Difference method; and (d) calculated loading rate using vertical force and lime data representing 20% and 90% of the first peak vertical force. The largest loading rate, which may be of greatest clinical importance, occurred when loading rates were calculated using the fewest number of data points. The Central Difference method appeared to maximize our ability to detect differences between healthy and pathologic cohorts. Finally, there was a strong correlation between methods, suggesting that all four methods are acceptable. However, if maximizing the chances of detecting differences between groups is of primary importance, the Central Difference method appears superior.

Patellar Tendon Straps Decrease Pain and May Alter Lower Extremity Kinetics in Those With Patellar Tendinopathy During Jump Landing

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 51-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam B. Rosen ◽  
Jupil Ko ◽  
Kathy J. Simpson ◽  
Cathleen N. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Patellar Tendon ◽  
Ground Reaction Force ◽  
Reaction Force ◽  
Patellar Tendinopathy ◽  
Jump Landing ◽  
Drop Jumps ◽  
Kinetics Of

Patellar tendinopathy is often managed with a patellar tendon strap, however, their effectiveness is unsubstantiated. The purpose of this study was to determine if straps altered pain or lower extremity kinetics of individuals with patellar tendinopathy during landing. Thirty participants with patellar tendinopathy and 30 controls completed drop jumps with and without patellar tendon straps. Wearing the strap, tendinopathy participants demonstrated significantly decreased pain and reduced knee adductor moment; all participants displayed significantly decreased anterior ground reaction force while wearing a strap. Patellar tendon strapping may reduce pain due to alterations in direction and magnitude of loading.

Low Range of Ankle Dorsiflexion Predisposes for Patellar Tendinopathy in Junior Elite Basketball Players

2011 ◽  
Vol 39 (12) ◽  
pp. 2626-2633 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ludvig J. Backman ◽  
Patrik Danielson
Keyword(s):  
Ankle Dorsiflexion ◽  
Mean Difference ◽  
Patellar Tendinopathy ◽  
Ankle Sprains ◽  
Basketball Players ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Preventive Actions ◽  
Potential Risk Factors ◽  
History Of

Background: Patellar tendinopathy (PT) is one of the most common reasons for sport-induced pain of the knee. Low ankle dorsiflexion range might predispose for PT because of load-bearing compensation in the patellar tendon. Purpose: The purpose of this 1-year prospective study was to analyze if a low ankle dorsiflexion range increases the risk of developing PT for basketball players. Study Design: Cohort study (prognosis); Level of evidence, 2. Methods: Ninety junior elite basketball players were examined for different characteristics and potential risk factors for PT, including ankle dorsiflexion range in the dominant and nondominant leg. Data were collected over a 1-year period and follow-up, including reexamination, was made at the end of the year. Results: Seventy-five players met the inclusion criteria. At the follow-up, 12 players (16.0%) had developed unilateral PT. These players were found to have had a significantly lower mean ankle dorsiflexion range at baseline than the healthy players, with a mean difference of −4.7° ( P = .038) for the dominant limb and −5.1° ( P = .024) for the nondominant limb. Complementary statistical analysis showed that players with dorsiflexion range less than 36.5° had a risk of 18.5% to 29.4% of developing PT within a year, as compared with 1.8% to 2.1% for players with dorsiflexion range greater than 36.5°. Limbs with a history of 2 or more ankle sprains had a slightly less mean ankle dorsiflexion range compared to those with 0 or 1 sprain (mean difference, −1.5° to −2.5°), although this was only statistically significant for nondominant legs. Conclusion: This study clearly shows that low ankle dorsiflexion range is a risk factor for developing PT in basketball players. In the studied material, an ankle dorsiflexion range of 36.5° was found to be the most appropriate cutoff point for prognostic screening. This might be useful information in identifying at-risk individuals in basketball teams and enabling preventive actions. A history of ankle sprains might contribute to reduced ankle dorsiflexion range.

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