A Novel Mass-Spring-Damper Model Analysis to Identify Landing Deficits in Athletes Returning to Sport after ACL Reconstruction

• Published in: Journal of strength and conditioning research 2017-09, Vol.31 (9), p.2590-2598
• Main Authors: Schneider, Daniel K, Gokeler, Alli, Otten, Bert, Ford, Kevin R, Hewett, Timothy E, Divine, Jon, Colosimo, Angelo J, Heidt, Robert S, Myer, Gregory D
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1064-8011; 1533-4287
• DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000001569

ABSTRACTA mass-spring-damper model may serve as an extension of biomechanical data from three-dimensional motion analysis and epidemiological data which help to delineate populations at-risk for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. The purpose of this study was to evaluate such a model.\Thirty-six ACL reconstruction (ACLR) group subjects and 67 controls (CTRL) completed single-leg drop landing and single-leg broad jump tasks. Landing ground reaction force data were collected and analyzed with a mass-spring damper model. Medians, interquartile ranges, and limb symmetry indices were calculated and comparisons were made within and between groups.During a single-leg drop landing, the ACLR group had a lower spring LSI than the CTRL group (P = 0.015) and landed with decreased stiffness in the involved limb relative to the uninvolved limb (P = 0.021). The ACLR group also had an increased damping LSI relative to the CTRL group (P = 0.045). The ACLR subjects landed with increased stiffness (P = 0.006) and decreased damping (P = 0.003) in their involved limbs compared to CTRL subjects non-dominant limbs. During a single-leg forward broad jump, the ACLR group had a greater spring LSI value than the CTRL group (P = 0.045). The CTRL group also recorded decreased damping values on their non-dominant limbs compared to the involved limbs of the ACLR group (P = 0.046).Athletes who have undergone ACLR display different lower limb dynamics than healthy controls according to a mass-spring damper model. Quadriceps dominance and leg dominance are components of ACLR athletes’ landing strategies and may be identified with a mass-spring-damper model and addressed during rehabilitation.