Effects of knee joint movement during side-step cutting maneuvers in the unanticipated condition

Abstract

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to reveal the differences in joint angles between the unanticipated condition and the preplanned condition during 90° side-step cutting (SSC). [Subjects] Six healthy female collegiate basketball players participated in this study. [Methods] All subjects performed two tasks, 90° right side SSC, and 90° left side SSC. Lower limb joint kinematics were analyzed by 5 high speed cameras. SSC motion was divided into the stop phase and the side movement phase. [Results] The execution time of SSC in the unanticipated condition was longer than in the preplanned condition. The knee joint flexion angle of foot ground time in the unanticipated condition was greater than that in the preplanned condition. The maximum knee joint valgus angle in the unanticipated condition was greater than that in the preplanned condition. [Conclusion] These findings may contribute to the understanding of the mechanism of anterior cruciate ligament injury.