Hopping backward to move forward: Single-leg backward hopping can better detect decreased quadriceps strength induced by a fatigue protocol compared to forward and vertical hopping

Background: Deficits in quadriceps strength of the injured leg have been observed in patients following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions and may contribute to ACL re-injury risk. Single-leg forward hopping is a widely used task for assessing knee function in patients following ACL re...

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Main Authors: Yu Song, Lauren Salsgiver, Kaden Van Valkenburg, Natalie Christofferson, Yessica Lo, Zhichen Feng, Brenna McGuinness, Boyi Dai
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-12-01
Series:Journal of Sport and Health Science
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095254624001327
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author Yu Song
Lauren Salsgiver
Kaden Van Valkenburg
Natalie Christofferson
Yessica Lo
Zhichen Feng
Brenna McGuinness
Boyi Dai
author_facet Yu Song
Lauren Salsgiver
Kaden Van Valkenburg
Natalie Christofferson
Yessica Lo
Zhichen Feng
Brenna McGuinness
Boyi Dai
author_sort Yu Song
collection DOAJ
description Background: Deficits in quadriceps strength of the injured leg have been observed in patients following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions and may contribute to ACL re-injury risk. Single-leg forward hopping is a widely used task for assessing knee function in patients following ACL reconstructions as it has been shown not to be particularly challenging to the knee. This study aimed to quantify the effect of decreased quadriceps strength induced by a fatigue protocol on hopping performance and lower limb mechanics in single-leg forward, vertical, and backward hopping. Methods: Thirty-four injury-free participants performed single-leg forward, vertical, and backward hopping on both legs pre- and post-fatigue, with 1 leg experiencing a fatigue protocol. Peak moments, power, and work of hip, knee, and ankle joints were quantified during the jumping phase. Hopping performance and bilateral asymmetries in performance were assessed. Results: Single-leg backward hopping demonstrated the greatest knee moments, power, and work compared to forward and vertical hopping, regardless of leg and fatigue. Fatigue protocol resulted in significantly less knee moments, power, and work, and decreased performance of the fatigued leg among all tasks. Bilateral symmetries in hopping performance decreased in post-fatigue, with the greatest decrease in backward hopping. Conclusion: The greater sensitivity of the backward hopping to detect quadriceps fatigue suggests it may act as a better or at least an additional metric to evaluate quadriceps strength deficits. The findings may contribute to the development of a clinically applicable and valid strength assessment to monitor the rehabilitation progress in patients following ACL reconstructions.
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spelling doaj-art-0e72fef3a52e4660863d96e41c46818f2025-01-19T06:24:55ZengElsevierJournal of Sport and Health Science2095-25462025-12-0114100976Hopping backward to move forward: Single-leg backward hopping can better detect decreased quadriceps strength induced by a fatigue protocol compared to forward and vertical hoppingYu Song0Lauren Salsgiver1Kaden Van Valkenburg2Natalie Christofferson3Yessica Lo4Zhichen Feng5Brenna McGuinness6Boyi Dai7Department of Health, Sport & Exercise Sciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USADivision of Kinesiology and Health, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USADivision of Kinesiology and Health, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USADivision of Kinesiology and Health, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USADivision of Kinesiology and Health, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USADivision of Kinesiology and Health, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USASchool of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USADivision of Kinesiology and Health, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USA; Corresponding author.Background: Deficits in quadriceps strength of the injured leg have been observed in patients following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions and may contribute to ACL re-injury risk. Single-leg forward hopping is a widely used task for assessing knee function in patients following ACL reconstructions as it has been shown not to be particularly challenging to the knee. This study aimed to quantify the effect of decreased quadriceps strength induced by a fatigue protocol on hopping performance and lower limb mechanics in single-leg forward, vertical, and backward hopping. Methods: Thirty-four injury-free participants performed single-leg forward, vertical, and backward hopping on both legs pre- and post-fatigue, with 1 leg experiencing a fatigue protocol. Peak moments, power, and work of hip, knee, and ankle joints were quantified during the jumping phase. Hopping performance and bilateral asymmetries in performance were assessed. Results: Single-leg backward hopping demonstrated the greatest knee moments, power, and work compared to forward and vertical hopping, regardless of leg and fatigue. Fatigue protocol resulted in significantly less knee moments, power, and work, and decreased performance of the fatigued leg among all tasks. Bilateral symmetries in hopping performance decreased in post-fatigue, with the greatest decrease in backward hopping. Conclusion: The greater sensitivity of the backward hopping to detect quadriceps fatigue suggests it may act as a better or at least an additional metric to evaluate quadriceps strength deficits. The findings may contribute to the development of a clinically applicable and valid strength assessment to monitor the rehabilitation progress in patients following ACL reconstructions.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095254624001327BiomechanicsACLReturn to playBilateral asymmetryAnterior cruciate ligament
spellingShingle Yu Song
Lauren Salsgiver
Kaden Van Valkenburg
Natalie Christofferson
Yessica Lo
Zhichen Feng
Brenna McGuinness
Boyi Dai
Hopping backward to move forward: Single-leg backward hopping can better detect decreased quadriceps strength induced by a fatigue protocol compared to forward and vertical hopping
Journal of Sport and Health Science
Biomechanics
ACL
Return to play
Bilateral asymmetry
Anterior cruciate ligament
title Hopping backward to move forward: Single-leg backward hopping can better detect decreased quadriceps strength induced by a fatigue protocol compared to forward and vertical hopping
title_full Hopping backward to move forward: Single-leg backward hopping can better detect decreased quadriceps strength induced by a fatigue protocol compared to forward and vertical hopping
title_fullStr Hopping backward to move forward: Single-leg backward hopping can better detect decreased quadriceps strength induced by a fatigue protocol compared to forward and vertical hopping
title_full_unstemmed Hopping backward to move forward: Single-leg backward hopping can better detect decreased quadriceps strength induced by a fatigue protocol compared to forward and vertical hopping
title_short Hopping backward to move forward: Single-leg backward hopping can better detect decreased quadriceps strength induced by a fatigue protocol compared to forward and vertical hopping
title_sort hopping backward to move forward single leg backward hopping can better detect decreased quadriceps strength induced by a fatigue protocol compared to forward and vertical hopping
topic Biomechanics
ACL
Return to play
Bilateral asymmetry
Anterior cruciate ligament
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095254624001327
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