The Effect of Six Weeks Sand Surface Training on the Biomechanical Variables Associated with Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury and side-cutting performance in Adolescent Female Futsal Players

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of six-week sand surface training on the biomechanical variables associated with an anterior cruciate ligament injury in female adolescent futsal players during cutting. The data collected from 12 subjects were recorded before and after 6 weeks of training on the sand surface during 45- and 90-degree cuts by a force plate and cameras. Comparisons between variables in pre- and post-tests were performed using mixed ANOVA. During the initial contact, knee flexion was greater in the cut of 45° than 90° in post-test condition. The peak knee external adduction moment and speed of movement in the anterior-posterior direction increased after training on the sand surface during both 45- and 90-degree cuts. Based on the results, training on the sand surface improved performance through increasing the speed of movement, and on the other hand, increased the load on the knee joint, indicating the need to provide solutions such as technique improvement training along with this protocol.