Unanticipated side cutting alters lower limb kinematic and kinetic variables in futsal athletes

Background: Numerous studies have examined the risk of non-contact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries during fast sports activities involving cutting maneuvers. However, these studies often focus on isolated measurements. A critical factor influencing this risk is the anticipation of the cutting movement. Objective: This study aimed to compare the kinematic and kinetic variables of the lower limb during anticipated and unanticipated side cutting maneuvers in futsal athletes. Methods: Eighteen male futsal players participated in this study. The angle of the dominant lower limb joints, the peak vertical ground reaction force, rate of loading, and knee joint moment were calculated during the stance phase. Results: The results of the paired sample t-test showed that the hip joint range of motion (ROM) in the frontal plane was significantly reduced in the unanticipated compared to anticipated side cutting (p = .040). The frontal plane's mean ROM and peak knee joint valgus were significantly higher in the unanticipated conditions (p = .048, p = .031). In the sagittal plane, the ankle joint ROM during unanticipated side cutting was significantly reduced (p = .018). Knee joint moments were significantly greater for unanticipated side cutting in the transverse plane (p = .037). Conclusions: This study highlighted the role of ankle joint in absorbing the force and reducing the rate of loading and showed that the unanticipated side cutting altered the lower limb joint kinematics and kinetics which are associated with ACL risk factors.