Mechanics of non-contact ACL injuries in female athletes

描述（由申请人提供）：本研究的目的是确定性别特定的运动模式，这些运动模式可能使女性在体育活动中容易发生非接触性前交叉韧带损伤，并量化训练计划对改变潜在损伤的下肢力学的影响。此外，还将对包括在训练计划中的特定练习的机械和神经肌肉需求进行评估。为实现这些目标，提出了三个项目。项目1的目标是量化运动特定动作的生物力学和神经肌肉方面的性别差异，并确定性别特定运动模式在不同成熟阶段的变化。80名女运动员和80名男运动员将在执行切割和着陆任务时接受生物力学测试。据推测，在青春期开始后，在臀部和膝盖会发现显著的性别差异，这些差异将提示在前交叉韧带损伤方面的“危险行为”。项目2的目标是评估训练计划对改变女性运动员运动的生物力学和神经肌肉方面的影响，并确定对训练计划的给定反应是否在不同的成熟阶段有所不同。180名年龄在12-24岁之间的女运动员（90名干预运动员和90名对照组）将参加。干预组的受试者将在参加为期12周的运动计划之前和之后进行生物力学测试，该计划已被发现可以减少前交叉韧带损伤的发生率。据推测，在训练计划之后，女性将展示出不那么暗示“危险行为”的运动模式。项目3的目的是评估特定运动的机械和神经肌肉需求，这些运动包括在伤害预防计划中，已被证明可以减少前交叉韧带损伤的发生率。对15名女运动员进行8项特定运动的生物力学评估。假设干预计划中某些运动所施加的特定要求与参与该计划后髋关节和膝关节力学的变化相对应。综上所述，本研究的数据将解决与性别、年龄和训练对前交叉韧带损伤潜力的影响有关的重要问题，并将为进一步研究损伤预防和康复提供基础。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The purpose of this study is to identify gender specific movement patterns that may predispose females to non-contact ACL injuries during sport activities, and to quantify the effects of a training program in altering 3otentially injurious lower extremity mechanics. In addition, an evaluation of the mechanical and neuromuscular demands of specific exercises included in a training program will be conducted. Three projects have been proposed to address these goals. The objective of Project 1 is to quantify gender differences in biomechanical and neuromuscular aspects of sport specific movements, and to determine how gender specific movement patterns vary across different stages of maturation. Eighty female and 80 male athletes will undergo biomechanical testing while performing cutting and landing tasks. It is hypothesized that after the onset of puberty, significant gender differences will be found at the hip and knee and that these differences will be suggestive of "at risk behavior" with respect to ACL injury. The objective of Project 2 is to assess the influence of a training program in altering biomechanical and neuromuscular aspects of movement in female athletes, and determine whether a given response to a training program varies across different stages of maturation. One-hundred and eighty female athletes (90 intervention and 90 controls) between the ages of 12-24 will participate. Subjects in the intervention group will undergo biomechanical testing before and after participation in a 12 week exercise program that has been found to decrease the incidence of ACL injuries. It is hypothesized that following the training program, females will demonstrate movement patterns that are less suggestive of "at risk behavior." The objective of Project 3 is to assess the mechanical and neuromuscular demands of specific exercises that are included in an injury prevention program that has been shown to reduce the incidence of ACL injuries. Biomechanical assessment of fifteen female athletes performing eight specific exercises will be carried out. It is hypothesized that the specific demands imposed by certain exercises within the intervention program will correspond to changes in hip and knee mechanics following participation in the program. Taken together, data from this study will address important questions related to the influence of gender, age and training on ACL injury potential, and will provide a foundation on which further investigation of injury prevention and rehabilitation can be based.