Investigation on the kinetic and kinematic characteristics of knee and ankle joints during simulated downhill walking: Implication for ACL injury risk

• Published in: Journal of mechanical science and technology Vol. 30; no. 10; pp. 4815 - 4822
• Main Authors: Kim, Pankwon, Oh, Youkeun K., Shin, Choongsoo S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Seoul Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers 01.10.2016; Springer Nature B.V; 대한기계학회
• Subjects: Analysis of variance; Biomechanics; Contact angle; Control; Dynamical Systems; Engineering; Industrial and Production Engineering; Injuries; Kinematics; Kinetics; Knee; Knees; Ligaments; Mechanical Engineering; Reaction kinetics; Risk; Risk analysis; Slopes; Sports injuries; Vibration; Walking; 기계공학; Ankle; Knee; Military boots; Biomechanical injury risk factors; Slope
• ISSN: 1738-494X; 1976-3824
• DOI: 10.1007/s12206-016-0954-3

We investigated 3D kinematic and kinetic changes of knee and ankle during downhill walking as the slope angle increased and evaluated biomechanical injury risk factors related to non-contact ACL injury. Fifteen male subjects performed level walking and 15° and 25° downhill walking. For the kinetic and kinematic parameters, one-way ANOVA and post-hoc tests were performed at a significance level of 0.05. This study revealed significant differences in 3D knee and ankle kinematics and kinetics among 0°, 15° and 25° downhill walking. The peak posterior ground reaction force, the peak knee anterior force and the knee valgus moment (0° vs. 15°: p < 0.05; 0° vs. 25°: p < 0.05) in the early stance phase increased as the slope angle increased. The peak knee internal tibial rotation moments in the late stance also increased (0° vs. 15°: p < 0.05; 0° vs. 25°: p < 0.05; 15° and 25°: p < 0.05) as the slope angle increased. These results showed the risk for ACL injuries may be increased during downhill walking with a greater slope angle.