EFFECTS OF FOOT PLANTING POSITIONS ON KNEE JOINT IN DROP LANDING

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of three different foot placement positions at the moment of foot-ground contact on the knee joint kinematics and kinetics in drop landing in an attempt to estimate the risk of non-contact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Three foot placement positions were toe-in (TI), neutral (N), and toe-out (TO) positions according to the heading direction of toes relative to femur. Seventeen college students participated in this study and motion capturing system with forceplatforms was used to assess the drop landings. Toe-in (TI) position should be avoided due to the highest combined loading of valgus and internal rotation. The neutral foot landing position is recommended to minimize the risk of non-contact ACL injury.