Effect of a tailored exercise programme on kinematics and kinetic knee injury risk during different side-cutting

Despite the high incidence of knee injuries reported in non-professional sports, the implementation of specific training programmes aimed at mitigating the kinematic and kinetic factors associated with these injuries remains limited. To determine the effects of a tailored exercise programme on kinematic and kinetic variables during side-cutting activities. Fifty-seven physically active participants were randomised into control group (CG; n: 28) that received no intervention, and an experimental group (EG; n: 29), that performed an individualised exercise programme that included a combination of strength, neuromuscular, proprioceptive, eccentric training and whole-body vibration (WBV) exercises. Knee, hip and trunk angles, vertical ground reaction force (VGRF), force in the antero-posterior (AP) and medio-lateral (ML) axes, acceleration, contact time and impulse were assessed during three types of side-cutting, two open manoeuvres (30º and 45º - SC₃₀ and SC₄₅ -respectively) and one closed manoeuvre (45º - SC_45cl-). After the 12-week intervention, EG participants had lower knee extension during all side-cuttings, shorter contact time and lower acceleration, VGRF and impulse compared to CG during side-cutting manoeuvres. A tailored exercise programme could be an effective neuromuscular and biomechanical strategy to reduce risk factors for knee injury in healthy, physically active young people.