Knee Joint Biomechanics During Lunges at Different Tibial Angles and External Loads: A Musculoskeletal Analysis with Finite Element Insights

This research explores how knee joint mechanics change during lunges when the tibial angle varies and external forces are applied, using both modeling and real-life testing. The aim is to better understand how the knee handles stress during different movements and to help improve training and recovery methods in sports. The study involved 26 healthy young men who performed lunges with their knees at two different angles (60 degrees and 90 degrees) and under two different weight conditions (their own body weight or an extra 98 N force).

They used special cameras to track their movements and plates to measure the forces on their knees. The scientists then used models to predict the forces on the knee joint, how much the joint moved, and its stiffness, comparing the results with statistical tests. They also used computer simulations to see how much stress and how far the knee joint would move under the 90-degree angle.

They found that the knee joint had to work harder when the tibial angle was smaller (60 degrees) compared to when it was at a right angle (90 degrees). The external load also had a significant impact on how stiff the knee was, especially when moving sideways, making it less stiff in that direction (P value less than 0.05).