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Int J Sports Med 2021; 42(03): 264-269
DOI: 10.1055/a-1128-6995
Orthopedics & Biomechanics

Effect of Hamstring-to-quadriceps Ratio on Knee Forces in Females During Landing

Becky L. Heinert
1   Sports Medicine Department, Gundersen Lutheran Health System Inc, La Crosse, United States
,
Tia Collins
2   Department of Health Professions, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, La Crosse, United States
,
Carly Tehan
2   Department of Health Professions, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, La Crosse, United States
,
Robert Ragan
3   Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, La Crosse, United States
,
Thomas W Kernozek
2   Department of Health Professions, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, La Crosse, United States
› Author Affiliations Funding: Funding to support this work was recieved from the Office of Graduate Studies at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and the Gundersen Medical Foundation within the Gundersen Health System.
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Abstract

ACL injuries in the athletic population are a common occurrence with over 70% associated with non-contact mechanisms. The hamstring to quadriceps ratio is a widely used clinical measure to assess an athlete’s readiness to return to sport; however, its relationship to knee forces and ACL tension during landing is unknown. Baseline isokinetic testing was completed on 100 college-aged females. Subjects with strength ratios 0.4 (n=20) and those with ratios of 0.6 (n=20) returned for an assessment of their drop landing. A sagittal plane knee model determined the low ratio group demonstrated 16.6% larger ligament shear (p=0.000), a 26% increase in tibiofemoral shear force (p=0.026) and a 6% increase vertical force between the femur and tibial plateau (p=0.026) compared to the high hamstring ratio group within 100 ms upon impact. The lower ratio group also demonstrated 9.5% greater maximal quadriceps (p=0.028) force during landing. These findings suggest that the hamstring to quadriceps ratio may be related to knee forces and ACL loading during landing. This metric may augment clinical decision making regarding an athlete’s readiness to return to sport or relative risk for re-injury.

Key words

ACL - kinematics - kinetics - modeling


Publication History

Received: 22 October 2019

Accepted: 16 February 2020

Article published online:
06 October 2020

© 2020. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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