| Objective. To evaluate relationships between Anterior Tibial Shear Force (ATSF) and eccentric quadriceps strength (QuadEcc ), concentric hamstring strength (HamCon), and the Quad Ecc/HamCon ratio. Design. Correlational. Setting. Research laboratory. Participants. Thirty-three healthy female recreational athletes. Main Outcome Measure(s). ATSF was measured during a landing task via inverse dynamics. QuadEcc and HamCon were assessed at 60°/s, 180°/s, and 300°/s using isokinetic dynamometry. Results: QuadEcc and HamCon were not significantly related to ATSF at any testing velocity ( p > 0.05). QuadEcc/HamCon was significantly related to ATSF at 60°/s (r = 0.529, p = 0.005) and 180°/s (r = 0.556, p = 0.003). Conclusion. Quad Ecc and HamCon in isolation are not significantly related to ATSF. However, when considered as a functional ratio, these strength measures are predictors of ATSF. This suggests that high QuadEcc/Ham Con ratios may predispose female athletes to higher ATSF and ACL injury risk.;Key words. Knee injury, ACL, torque, strength ratios. |
