23rd Annual Student Research Conference
Knee Stress During Lower Body Strengthening Exercises
Charles N. Vannatta
Dr. Michael Bird, Faculty Mentor
Determining the anteroposterior forces at the knee during strengthening exercises is important in order to choose appropriate rehabilitative exercises. The anteroposterior joint reaction forces were examined at the tibiofemoral joint during two squat exercises and two lunge exercises. Joint reaction forces were calculated using a two-dimensional link segment model applying reverse dynamics. Eleven, healthy subjects, with at least five years lifting experience, performed five repetitions of the back and front squat with 75% 10RM, and five repetitions of long- and short-strided (100% and 50% leg length, respectively) lunges with 25% 10RM. The mean anteroposterior shear forces were: -0.2640.243 N/kg, -0.2900.360 N/kg, -5.1100.734 N/kg, and -3.7860.733, respectively. No significant difference was found between back and front squat (p= 0.849). The anteroposterior shear force was greater during the long strided lunge than the short (p<.05). Based on these results, lunge exercises (especially long) pose more risk for ACL strain than squat exercises.
Keywords: knee, strain, ACL, exercises, squat, lunge, force
Topic(s):Exercise Science
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 35-1
Location: VH 1000
Time: 1:15