Rearfoot Landing Technique Increases Knee Loading during Sidestep Cutting Maneuvers by Basketball Players

1.1. Objectiveː Many non-contact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in female basketball athletes occur during the deceleration phase of sidestep cutting maneuvers. However, few studies have attempted to quantify the kinetic and kinematical parameters related to landing technique during sidestep cutting maneuvers by basketball players. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of forefoot and rearfoot landing techniques on trunk and lower extremity kinetic and kinematic parameters during sidestep cutting maneuvers in this population. 1.2. Methodsː Fourteen healthy female collegiate basketball athletes performed forefoot or rearfoot landing technique randomly during sidestep cutting maneuvers. The trunk and lower extremity kinetic and kinematic variables of the non-dominant leg were analyzed during landing. The variables between forefoot and rearfoot landings during these maneuvers were compared. 1.3. Resultsː Rearfoot landings showed increased peak knee flexion angle and extension moment during the deceleration phase of sidestep cutting maneuvers, as compared to forefoot landing (p<0.05), whereas forefoot landing showed increased peak hip flexion angle (p<0.05). 1.4. Conclusionː The rearfoot landing technique increases knee extension moment, which may potentially place increased strain on the ACL. Therefore, forefoot landing techniques should be adopted during the train and completion of basketball for ACL injury prevention.