Differences in Muscle Activities and Kinematics between Forefoot Strike and Rearfoot Strike in the Lower Limb during 180° Turns.
Naruto Yoshida, Shun Kunugi, Takehiro Konno and 5 others
PMID 34123524WHAT IT FOUND
Forefoot strikes during 180-degree turns showed lower vertical ground force and higher hamstring activity than rearfoot strikes, suggesting potential ACL protection.
However, rearfoot strikes had smaller knee valgus angles. The study was a small lab simulation, not a test of injury prevention.
Key findings
01Forefoot strikes produced significantly lower vertical ground reaction force and higher semitendinosus (hamstring) activity in the early stance phase compared to rearfoot strikes.
02Rearfoot strikes resulted in significantly smaller knee valgus angles and larger hip flexion angles compared to forefoot strikes.
03The authors suggest forefoot striking may reduce ACL injury risk due to lower ground force and increased hamstring activation, though this was a biomechanical simulation.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
The study used a 'sham' movement in a lab that may not replicate the unpredictable conditions of actual sports play. The sample was very small (14 participants) and consisted only of male soccer players, so results may not apply to women or other sports. The study measured biomechanical risk factors, not actual ACL injuries, so it cannot prove that one landing style prevents injury. Trunk and pelvic angles, which influence knee loading, were not measured.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret this as evidence that forefoot striking prevents ACL injuries. The study only measured mechanical forces in a controlled lab setting on a small group of male athletes. It did not track injury outcomes, and the increased knee valgus observed with forefoot strikes is itself a risk factor.