Exploring the Relationship Between Foot Position and Reduced Risk of Knee-Related Injuries in Side-Cutting Movements

Background: Knee-related injuries often result from poor movement patterns that destabilize the joint and increase stress on knee structures. Understanding the influence of foot positioning on knee biomechanics is critical for identifying high-risk movement patterns and preventing injuries. Methods:...

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Main Authors: Xiuye Qu, Datao Xu, Xiaowei Yang, Ukadike Chris Ugbolue, Huiyu Zhou, Yaodong Gu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Applied Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/23/11295
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author Xiuye Qu
Datao Xu
Xiaowei Yang
Ukadike Chris Ugbolue
Huiyu Zhou
Yaodong Gu
author_facet Xiuye Qu
Datao Xu
Xiaowei Yang
Ukadike Chris Ugbolue
Huiyu Zhou
Yaodong Gu
author_sort Xiuye Qu
collection DOAJ
description Background: Knee-related injuries often result from poor movement patterns that destabilize the joint and increase stress on knee structures. Understanding the influence of foot positioning on knee biomechanics is critical for identifying high-risk movement patterns and preventing injuries. Methods: Twenty healthy male participants performed side-cutting movements at three different foot progression angles. One participant’s data were used to develop and validate a knee finite element model with high-speed dual fluoroscopic imaging (DFIS). Combined with a musculoskeletal analysis, the model simulated internal knee loads under various foot-positioning conditions. Results: The analysis revealed that, as the external foot progression angle increased, the ankle plantarflexion decreased, while the ankle internal rotation and knee valgus moments increased. Higher stress concentrations were observed on the ACL, lateral meniscus, lateral tibial cartilage, and medial collateral ligament, particularly at the femoral–tibial ACL attachments. Conclusion: The findings suggest that a toe-out foot position elevates the risk of knee injuries by increasing stress on key structures, whereas a toe-in position may enhance joint stability, reduce the ACL injury risk, and promote favorable muscle activation patterns.
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spelling doaj-art-179deffe48484082bc4a436e2c74f69a2025-08-20T02:50:13ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172024-12-0114231129510.3390/app142311295Exploring the Relationship Between Foot Position and Reduced Risk of Knee-Related Injuries in Side-Cutting MovementsXiuye Qu0Datao Xu1Xiaowei Yang2Ukadike Chris Ugbolue3Huiyu Zhou4Yaodong Gu5Faculty of Sports Science, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, ChinaFaculty of Sports Science, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, ChinaFaculty of Sports Science, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, ChinaFaculty of Sports Science, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, ChinaFaculty of Sports Science, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, ChinaFaculty of Sports Science, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, ChinaBackground: Knee-related injuries often result from poor movement patterns that destabilize the joint and increase stress on knee structures. Understanding the influence of foot positioning on knee biomechanics is critical for identifying high-risk movement patterns and preventing injuries. Methods: Twenty healthy male participants performed side-cutting movements at three different foot progression angles. One participant’s data were used to develop and validate a knee finite element model with high-speed dual fluoroscopic imaging (DFIS). Combined with a musculoskeletal analysis, the model simulated internal knee loads under various foot-positioning conditions. Results: The analysis revealed that, as the external foot progression angle increased, the ankle plantarflexion decreased, while the ankle internal rotation and knee valgus moments increased. Higher stress concentrations were observed on the ACL, lateral meniscus, lateral tibial cartilage, and medial collateral ligament, particularly at the femoral–tibial ACL attachments. Conclusion: The findings suggest that a toe-out foot position elevates the risk of knee injuries by increasing stress on key structures, whereas a toe-in position may enhance joint stability, reduce the ACL injury risk, and promote favorable muscle activation patterns.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/23/11295foot progression anglesfinite element analysisnon-contact ACL injuriesmechanical stress distributionjoint kinematicscutting maneuver biomechanics
spellingShingle Xiuye Qu
Datao Xu
Xiaowei Yang
Ukadike Chris Ugbolue
Huiyu Zhou
Yaodong Gu
Exploring the Relationship Between Foot Position and Reduced Risk of Knee-Related Injuries in Side-Cutting Movements
Applied Sciences
foot progression angles
finite element analysis
non-contact ACL injuries
mechanical stress distribution
joint kinematics
cutting maneuver biomechanics
title Exploring the Relationship Between Foot Position and Reduced Risk of Knee-Related Injuries in Side-Cutting Movements
title_full Exploring the Relationship Between Foot Position and Reduced Risk of Knee-Related Injuries in Side-Cutting Movements
title_fullStr Exploring the Relationship Between Foot Position and Reduced Risk of Knee-Related Injuries in Side-Cutting Movements
title_full_unstemmed Exploring the Relationship Between Foot Position and Reduced Risk of Knee-Related Injuries in Side-Cutting Movements
title_short Exploring the Relationship Between Foot Position and Reduced Risk of Knee-Related Injuries in Side-Cutting Movements
title_sort exploring the relationship between foot position and reduced risk of knee related injuries in side cutting movements
topic foot progression angles
finite element analysis
non-contact ACL injuries
mechanical stress distribution
joint kinematics
cutting maneuver biomechanics
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/23/11295
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