Neuromuscular
fatigue and tibiofemoral joint biomechanics when transitioning from non-weight
bearing to weight bearing.
fatigue and tibiofemoral joint biomechanics when transitioning from non-weight
bearing to weight bearing.
Schmitz RJ, Kim H, and
Shultz SJ. J Athl Training. 2015.
50(1): 23-29.
Shultz SJ. J Athl Training. 2015.
50(1): 23-29.
Take
Home Message: Following a fatiguing exercise protocol, participants
showed increased anterior tibial translation, compressive force, and knee
flexion range of motion during the transition from non-weight-bearing to
weight-bearing. This illustrates an inability of the lower extremity muscles to
stabilize the knee joint.
Home Message: Following a fatiguing exercise protocol, participants
showed increased anterior tibial translation, compressive force, and knee
flexion range of motion during the transition from non-weight-bearing to
weight-bearing. This illustrates an inability of the lower extremity muscles to
stabilize the knee joint.
An athlete is at greater risk for a
noncontact injury, such as an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear, later in
games. While it is believed that fatigue may play a role in ACL injury, little
evidence exists to support this. If this can be verified, clinicians may be
able to identify strategies to better train athletes to stabilize the knee
joint in a fatigued state and limit the risk of sustaining an ACL injury.
Therefore, Schmitz and colleagues completed a cross-sectional study to assess
the impact of a fatiguing exercise protocol on tibiofemoral biomechanics when
transitioning from non-weight-bearing to weight-bearing. The researchers recruited
10 participants (5 male, 5 female, age ~25 years) with no history of knee
injury to the dominant leg. All participants were further screened by a
certified athletic trainer to ensure there was no lower limb dysfunction. All
participants wore motion analysis sensors and were placed into the Vermont Knee
Laxity Device to measure anterior tibial translation when a force of 40% body
weight was applied to the bottom on the foot, which simulated weight bearing. Three
successful trials were obtained before and after a fatiguing exercise protocol.
Fatiguing was accomplished by having the participant perform a repeated leg
press of 60% of their body weight for 15 repetitions with 10 seconds rest until
the participant could no longer complete a full set. Overall, during initial
weight-bearing the authors found a 6% increase in compressive force, a 28%
increase in knee flexion range of motion, and a 22% increase in anterior tibial
translation after the fatiguing exercise compared with before.
noncontact injury, such as an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear, later in
games. While it is believed that fatigue may play a role in ACL injury, little
evidence exists to support this. If this can be verified, clinicians may be
able to identify strategies to better train athletes to stabilize the knee
joint in a fatigued state and limit the risk of sustaining an ACL injury.
Therefore, Schmitz and colleagues completed a cross-sectional study to assess
the impact of a fatiguing exercise protocol on tibiofemoral biomechanics when
transitioning from non-weight-bearing to weight-bearing. The researchers recruited
10 participants (5 male, 5 female, age ~25 years) with no history of knee
injury to the dominant leg. All participants were further screened by a
certified athletic trainer to ensure there was no lower limb dysfunction. All
participants wore motion analysis sensors and were placed into the Vermont Knee
Laxity Device to measure anterior tibial translation when a force of 40% body
weight was applied to the bottom on the foot, which simulated weight bearing. Three
successful trials were obtained before and after a fatiguing exercise protocol.
Fatiguing was accomplished by having the participant perform a repeated leg
press of 60% of their body weight for 15 repetitions with 10 seconds rest until
the participant could no longer complete a full set. Overall, during initial
weight-bearing the authors found a 6% increase in compressive force, a 28%
increase in knee flexion range of motion, and a 22% increase in anterior tibial
translation after the fatiguing exercise compared with before.
The authors present interesting data to
support the concept that knee joint biomechanics are altered in a fatigued
state. Hence, an individual is less able to stabilize his/her knee during
initial weight-bearing when the lower extremity is fatigued. This suggests that
physically active individuals may be at an elevated risk of ACL injury near the
end of activity as the muscles in the lower extremity are less able to stabilize
the joint. Before this is confirmed though more research should be completed in
a larger cohort as well as to take into account participant activity levels to
better understand the effects that training may have on this phenomenon. While
more work may be needed this study may be valuable to clinicians in the future
in terms of activity modification, bracing, and training regiments to further
increase knee joint stability while fatigued. Until this can be completed clinicians
should be observant for faulty mechanics in practice and competitions when
fatigue is likely. Furthermore, clinicians may wish to discuss how to handle
fatigued athlete with their sports medicine team to discuss if the athlete in
question should be removed from activity, and if so who is responsible for
making such a decision.
support the concept that knee joint biomechanics are altered in a fatigued
state. Hence, an individual is less able to stabilize his/her knee during
initial weight-bearing when the lower extremity is fatigued. This suggests that
physically active individuals may be at an elevated risk of ACL injury near the
end of activity as the muscles in the lower extremity are less able to stabilize
the joint. Before this is confirmed though more research should be completed in
a larger cohort as well as to take into account participant activity levels to
better understand the effects that training may have on this phenomenon. While
more work may be needed this study may be valuable to clinicians in the future
in terms of activity modification, bracing, and training regiments to further
increase knee joint stability while fatigued. Until this can be completed clinicians
should be observant for faulty mechanics in practice and competitions when
fatigue is likely. Furthermore, clinicians may wish to discuss how to handle
fatigued athlete with their sports medicine team to discuss if the athlete in
question should be removed from activity, and if so who is responsible for
making such a decision.
Questions for Discussion:
Have you seen a correlation between ACL injury and fatigue status of your
athletes? If so, do you intervene when you feel an athlete is fatigued and
exhibiting faulty joint mechanics?
Have you seen a correlation between ACL injury and fatigue status of your
athletes? If so, do you intervene when you feel an athlete is fatigued and
exhibiting faulty joint mechanics?
Written by: Kyle Harris
Reviewed by: Jeffrey Driban
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Schmitz, R., Kim, H., & Shultz, S. (2015). Neuromuscular Fatigue and Tibiofemoral Joint Biomechanics When Transitioning From Non–Weight Bearing to Weight Bearing Journal of Athletic Training, 50 (1), 23-29 DOI: 10.4085/1062-6050-49.3.79
I see the importance of recognizing that fatigue does in fact affect the amount of anterior tibial translation in athletes, however, as clinicians I think we need to place more emphasis on the importance of building muscular endurance to try to prolong their ability to perform fatigue-free rather than remove them from their sport. While I understand that these risks are present in fatigue and that fatigue is unavoidable in that nobody can perform fatigue-free forever so removing an at risk athlete from play may be necessary, but our goal is to allow them to perform in a safe manner. By furthering their muscular endurance through therapeutic exercise, I believe we can do just that.
I have suffered an ACL tear myself and can attribute to the fatigue being a factor, yet I have also seen an ACL tear in someone who entered a game as a substitute within their first 5 minutes in the game. I would be interested to see more results with a larger sample and possibly the effect of fatigue on tibial/femoral rotation as well because that is also a common mechanism of ACL injury. Very interesting study and I look forward to seeing more on the topic!
Hi Kyle: I agree that we should be trying to build their muscular endurance to prolong their ability to perform fatigue-free. That should be our primary goal but we should also strive to coordinate with coaches to get athletes adequate rest intervals when possible to help the athlete extend their ability to delay fatigue in a game and if we see the athlete is fatigued then perhaps pulling them from play (at least temporarily if the rules allow).
You are absolutely right that more goes into the relationship of fatigue than just anterior tibial translation (e.g., rotational movements). Furthermore, just b/c fatigue may be a risk factor for injury doesn't mean that everyone who is fatigued will get an injury and it doesn't mean people who are not fatigued will not get hurt. It's just one of many factors we need to consider. Great comments! Thanks!