The effects of subsequent soccer-specific tasks on sidestep cutting kinematics and kinetics.

OBJECTIVES

Sidestep cutting (SSC), a common method in soccer, frequently causes anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. This study examined the effects of a soccer-specific movement task performed after a SSC on the kinematics and kinetics of the SSC.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

The participants performed SSC with a 90° change of direction in the following three conditions: running straight after SSC (Normal condition), kicking the ball after SSC (Kick condition), and jumping and heading after SSC (Heading condition).

PARTICIPANTS

Twenty healthy adult males with experience in soccer participated in this study.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Three-dimensional knee angles, moments, and ground reaction force (GRF) characteristics during the SSC were compared across conditions.

RESULTS

The knee valgus angle at foot contact and peak knee valgus moment of the supporting leg during SSC were significantly greater in the Normal condition compared to the Heading condition. Significant differences in GRF characteristics were mainly observed in braking impulse, propulsion impulse, and peak posterior GRF between conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

The SSC movement strategy should be a form that supports the efficient accomplishment of the subsequent task. Moreover, the Normal condition resulted in a posture more prone to non-contact ACL injury than the Heading condition.