20th Annual Student Research Conference
Human Potential and Performance
An Exploration of Gait Mechanics Changes Following ACL Injury
Brynn E. Weimer
Dr. Michael Bird, Faculty Mentor
This study examined the influence of ACL repair and rehabilitation on kinematic running variables. The effect of injury was observed by comparing variables between the previously injured leg and the non-injured leg of the same subject. Subjects consisted of 5 male and 17 female active people, all at least 1 year recovered from traumatic ACL injury requiring surgery and rehabilitation. During data collection, subjects were videotaped running two 20 meter trials (one in each direction), at a subject determined 70-80% sprint speed. A Peak Motus system was used to reduce variables from the video data, and variables were correlated by time since surgery to distinguish any trends. While none of the correlations were statistically significant, some gait characteristic trends were apparent over time. Changes in stride length, support time, and non-support time seemed consistent between limbs over time, but graphs suggested interaction effects in knee and hip ROM.
Keywords: Gait, ACL, Kinematics, Biomechanics, Rehabilitation
Topic(s):Exercise Science
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 21-2
Location: VH 1000
Time: 10:00 am