title: Biomechanical differences related to leg dominance were not found during a cutting task.
abstract: Previous studies have shown conflicting information regarding leg dominance as an etiological factor for the risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. It remains unclear if lower extremity neuromechanical limb asymmetries exist in experienced athletes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate lower extremity neuromechanical effects of leg dominance in female collegiate soccer athletes during an unanticipated side-step cutting task. Twenty female collegiate soccer players completed an unanticipated side-step cutting task, using their dominant and non-dominant legs. Kinematic and kinetic data were collected to quantify joint angles and forces, with wireless electromyography (EMG) quantifying muscle activity. MANOVA's were conducted to determine the effect of leg dominance on hip and knee mechanics at and between pre-contact, initial contact, peak knee adduction moment, and peak stance periods. Dependent variables consisted of peak time occurrences, hip and knee rotations and moments, ground reaction force, EMG amplitudes, stance time, and approach velocity. No significant differences were found for any variables at or between the periods of interest. Collegiate female soccer athletes exhibit similar movement patterns between dominant and non-dominant legs while performing a side-step cutting task, suggesting that leg dominance does not adversely influence known biomechanical non-contact ACL risk factors.
authors.affiliation: Exercise Science & Community Health, University of West Florida, Pensacola, Florida, USA.
authors.forename: E K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Greska
authors.affiliation: School of Recreation, Health, and Tourism, George Mason University, Manassas, Virginia, USA.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cortes
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, USA.
authors.forename: S I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Ringleb
authors.affiliation: School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Onate
authors.affiliation: School of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, USA.
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Van Lunen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries / Q000209:etiology; D056352:Athletes; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000209:etiology; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012916:Soccer / Q000293:injuries; D014741:Video Recording; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Bilateral differences; injury prevention; knee injury; neural activity; neuromechanics