The effect of direct kicking force on anterior tibial translation from soccer ball in healthy knees

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the first restraint against anterior tibial translation (ATT) in the knee joint. Previous studies suggested that knee joint laxity might be increased by the repeated stress imposed on the knee joint. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the effect of the repeated soccer ball kicking actions on the ATT in healthy knees. Forty female collegiate students volunteered for this study. KT-2000 knee arthrometer was used to measure ATT before and after the task. The findings demonstrated that the repeated kicking actions had no significant effect on the ATT in healthy knees. The maximum knee extension angle on the striking side was greater than the supporting side (p < 0.05). Significant correlations between mean anterior translation and maximum knee extension angle were observed on both sides (p < 0.05). The kicking force on a soccer ball resulted in no increase in the knee laxity.