Association of Hip and Trunk Strength With Three-Dimensional Trunk, Hip, and Knee Kinematics During a Single-Leg Drop Vertical Jump

Three-dimensional kinematics of the trunk, pelvis, hip, and knee during the single-leg squat and hip torque in subjects with isolated patellofemoral osteoarthritis compared to individually matched controls: Preliminary results

Objectives: This study aimed to compare three-dimensional kinematic of the trunk, pelvis, hip, and knee during the single-leg squat and hip torque in individuals with and without isolated patellofemoral osteoarthritis (PFOA). Patients and methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated trunk, pelvis, hip, and knee kinematics at 30°, 45°, and 60° knee flexion during the single-leg squat using the Vicon motion capture and analysis system, the Nexus System 2.1.1, and 3D Motion Monitor software. Sixteen individuals (8 males, 8 females; mean age: 49.3±6.2 years; range 40 to 61 years) participated in the study, of which eight were PFOA patients and eight were healthy controls. Isometric hip abductor, extensor, and external rotator torques were evaluated using a handheld dynamometer. Results: The PFOA group exhibited greater hip adduction at 30° (p=0.008), 45° (p=0.005), and 60° (p=0.008) knee flexion in the descending phase of the single-leg squat, as well as at 60° (p=0.009) and 45° (p=0.03) knee flexion in the ascending phase. No significant differences were found between groups for other kinematic variables (p>0.05). The PFOA group exhibited lower isometric hip abductor (p=0.02), extensor (p <0.001), and external rotator (p=0.007) torques. Conclusion: Individuals with PFOA exhibited excessive hip adduction that could increase stress on the lateral patellofemoral joint at 30°, 45°, and 60° knee flexion during the single-leg squat and exhibited weakness of the hip abductors, extensors, and external rotators in comparison to healthy controls.

Association of Proximal and Distal Factors With Lower Limb Kinematics During a Classical Ballet Jump

CONTEXT

Excessive dynamic lower limb misalignment may predispose ballet dancers to jump-related injuries. However, it is unknown whether proximal and distal factors influence this movement pattern. The aim of this study was to investigate whether hip abduction strength, foot alignment, and ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) are associated with peak angles of hip adduction and internal rotation and knee abduction during the preparation and landing phases of a classical ballet jump.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

METHODS

Forty-one healthy amateur ballet dancers were included. Hip abduction strength was evaluated isometrically using a handheld dynamometer, foot alignment was determined by the shank-forefoot alignment, and weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion ROM was measured by performing the lunge test. Peak hip and knee angles were analyzed 3-dimensionally during the preparation and landing phases of a single-leg jump. A Pearson correlation matrix was used to investigate the association of hip abduction strength, shank-forefoot alignment, and ankle dorsiflexion ROM with peak angles of hip adduction and internal rotation and knee abduction during the preparation and landing phases of the jump.

RESULTS

Greater hip abduction strength was associated with greater peak hip internal rotation angle (r = .43, P < .05), but not with peak hip adduction and knee abduction angles during the preparation phase of the jump. There were no associations of shank-forefoot alignment and ankle dorsiflexion ROM with peak hip and knee angles during the preparation (r = -.23 to .36, P > .05) and landing (r = -.20 to .24, P > .05) phases of the jump. There was no association of hip abduction strength with peak hip and knee angles during the landing phase of the jump (r = -.28 to .16, P > .05).

CONCLUSION

Hip abductors strengthening, correction of foot misalignments, and increasing ankle dorsiflexion ROM may not prevent excessive hip and knee movements during a classical ballet single-leg jump in amateur dancers.

Frontal plane biomechanics during single-leg squat and hip strength in patients with isolated patellofemoral osteoarthritis compared to matched controls: A cross-sectional study

The patellofemoral compartment of the knee is the most frequently affected by osteoarthritis. However, there is a lack of biomechanics studies on patellofemoral osteoarthritis (PFOA). This study’s purpose was to compare the frontal plane biomechanics of the trunk and lower limb during the single-leg squat and isometric hip abductor torque in individuals with isolated PFOA and controls. Frontal plane kinematics during the single-leg squat were evaluated using a three-dimensional (3-D) motion analysis system. Isometric hip abductor torque was determined using a handheld dynamometer. Twenty individuals participated in the study (10 with PFOA and 10 controls). No significant differences between groups were found regarding age (mean ± SD, PFOA group = 51.8 ± 6.9 versus control group = 47.8 ± 5.5; mean difference = 4, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -1.9 to 9.9, p = 0.20) or body mass index (PFOA group = 27.6 ± 2.2 versus control group = 25.5 ± 2.5; mean difference = 2.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -0.1 to 4.3, p = 0.06). Compared to control, the PFOA group presented greater hip adduction in the descending and ascending phases of the single-leg squat at 45° (mean difference [95% CI] = 6.44° [0.39–12.48°], p = 0.04; mean difference [95% CI] = 5.33° [0.24–10.42°], p = 0.045, respectively) and 60° (mean difference [95% CI] = 8.44° [2.15–14.73°], p = 0.01; mean difference [95% CI] = 7.58° [2.1–13.06°], p = 0.009, respectively) of knee flexion. No significant differences between groups were found for the frontal plane kinematics of the trunk, pelvis or knee (p > 0.05). The PFOA group exhibited lower isometric hip abductor torque (mean difference [95% CI] = -0.34 Nm/kg [-0.67 to -0.01 Nm/kg], p = 0.04). The individuals with PFOA presented greater hip adduction than the control group, which could increase lateral patellofemoral joint stress at 45° and 60° of knee flexion in the descending and ascending phases of the single-leg squat. These individuals also exhibited hip abductor weakness in comparison to healthy controls.

Association of Ankle Dorsiflexion and Landing Forces in Jumping Athletes

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.

Does tension applied in kinesio taping affect pain or function in older women with knee osteoarthritis? A randomised controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

To analyse the short-term effects of kinesio taping (KT) with tension (KTT) or without tension (KTNT) in older women with knee osteoarthritis (KOA), and compare them to controls who did not receive KT.

DESIGN

Randomised controlled trial.

SETTING

University physiotherapy school clinic.

PARTICIPANTS

Forty-five older women (fifteen participants per group) with 66.8 (±5.6) years and clinical diagnosis of KOA were assessed pre, post and 3 days after intervention.

INTERVENTIONS

Participants were randomly allocated to KTT, who received two simultaneous applications of KT with tension on the knee and rectus femoris; KTNT, who received the same application as the KTT group, but without tension and a control group that attended a class on KOA.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

Primary outcome was pain intensity and secondary outcomes were knee-related health status, functional capacity, muscle strength and global rating of change.

RESULTS

No between-group differences were observed in pain after the first intervention (KTT vs KTNT: mean difference (MD), -1.8 points; 95% CI -4.2 to 0.5; KTT vs control: MD, -1.2 points; 95% CI -3.6 to 1.2; KTNT vs control: MD, 0.66 points; 95% CI -1.7 to 3.0) or 3 days later (KTT vs KTNT: MD, -1.3 points; 95% CI -3.7 to 1.0; KTT vs control: MD, 0.13 points; 95% CI -2.2 to 2.5; KTNT vs control: MD, 1.4 points; 95% CI -0.9 to 3.8). The lack of between-group differences was also found for secondary outcomes.

CONCLUSION

The short-term use of KT with or without tension in older woman with KOA had no beneficial effects on pain and function. These findings call into question the clinical use of KT as a non-pharmacological therapy for this population.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT03624075.

Does trunk and hip muscles strength predict performance during a core stability test?

BACKGROUND

A better understanding about the relationship between trunk and hip muscles strength and core stability may improve evaluation and interventions proposed to improve core stability.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate if trunk and hip muscles strength predict pelvic posterior rotation during the bridge test with unilateral knee extension.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study. Sixty-one healthy individuals of both sexes (age, 28±6.4 years, weight, 66.5±10.9kg, height, 167±9.5cm) performed the bridge test with unilateral knee extension. The pelvic posterior rotation during the bridge test was obtained with two-dimensional video analysis. Isometric strength of the trunk extensors and rotators, and hip abductors, external and internal rotators and extensors were measured with a hand-held dynamometer. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify if the strength variables could explain the pelvic posterior rotation during the test.

RESULTS

Muscle strength predicted pelvic posterior rotation during the bridge test (r=0.54; p=0.003). Strength of the trunk rotators (p=0.045) and hip internal rotators (p=0.015) predicted reduced magnitude of pelvic posterior rotation during the bridge test, and strength of the hip extensors (p=0.003) predicted increased magnitude of pelvic posterior rotation.

CONCLUSIONS

Trunk rotators and hip internal rotators and extensors strength predict 29% of the performance during the bridge test with unilateral knee extension. The strength of these muscles should be evaluated in individuals with increased pelvic posterior rotation during the bridge test with unilateral knee extension.

Impaired Knee Muscle Capacity Is Correlated With Impaired Sagittal Kinematics During Jump Landing in Women With Patellofemoral Pain

Nunes, GS, Barton, CJ, and Serrão, FV. Impaired knee muscle capacity is correlated with impaired sagittal kinematics during jump landing in women with patellofemoral pain. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2020-Knee and hip muscle capacity is impaired in women with patellofemoral pain (PFP), but little is known about the rate of force development (RFD) at the knee. Impaired muscle capacity may contribute to reduced sagittal plane movement at the knee and hip during jump landing in women with PFP. This study aimed to (a) compare knee extensor muscle capacity (including RFD), and hip abductor and extensor muscle capacity between women with and without PFP; and (b) evaluate the relationship between hip/knee muscle capacity and sagittal kinematics during single-legged drop jump landing in women with PFP. Fifty-two physically active women (26 with PFP and 26 controls) participated. Rate of force development (in %/ms), isometric, concentric, and eccentric torque (in N·m·kg × 100) were evaluated using isokinetic dynamometry, and knee and hip kinematics were evaluated using three-dimensional motion capture. Compared with the control group (CG), the PFP group (PFPG) presented lower isometric (12%, PFPG = 217.2 ± 46.0; CG = 246.5 ± 38.8; p = 0.02), concentric (21%, PFPG = 133.0 ± 42.6; CG = 169.2 ± 28.8; p < 0.01), and eccentric (17%, PFPG = 172.9 ± 56.7; CG = 208.4 ± 59.4; p = 0.03) knee extension torque; lower RFD until 30% (30%, PFPG = 0.57 ± 0.27; CG = 0.83 ± 0.37; p < 0.01) and 60% (31%, PFPG = 0.47 ± 0.24; CG = 0.67 ± 0.33; p = 0.01) of maximal isometric torque; and lower concentric hip abduction (13%, PFPG = 94.7 ± 19.1; CG = 108.4 ± 17.5; p = 0.01) and extension (17%, PFPG = 134.4 ± 34.3; CG = 162.6 ± 38.0; p < 0.01) torque. Significant correlations between reduced RFD for knee extension and reduced sagittal plane knee/hip range of motion during landing were identified (r = 0.39-0.49). In conclusion, women with PFP have impaired knee extensor isometric and dynamic strength, and RFD. Impaired knee extensor RFD is associated with a stiffer landing strategy (reduced movement).