Load carriage changes tibiofemoral arthrokinematics during ambulatory tasks in recruit-aged women

Johnson, Camille C.; Dzewaltowski, Alex C.; Dever, Dennis E.; Krajewski, Kellen T.; Rai, Ajinkya; Ahamed, Nizam U.; Allison, Katelyn F.; Flanagan, Shawn D.; Graham, Scott M.; Lovalekar, Mita; Anderst, William J.; Connaboy, Chris

Abstract

The introduction of women into U.S. military ground close combat roles requires research into sex-specific effects of military training and operational activities. Knee osteoarthritis is prevalent among military service members; its progression has been linked to occupational tasks such as load carriage. Analyzing tibiofemoral arthrokinematics during load carriage is important to understand potentially injurious motion and osteoarthritis progression. The study purpose was to identify effects of load carriage on knee arthrokinematics during walking and running in recruit-aged women. Twelve healthy recruit-aged women walked and ran while unloaded (bodyweight [BW]) and carrying additional + 25%BW and + 45%BW. Using dynamic biplane radiography and subject-specific bone models, tibiofemoral arthrokinematics, subchondral joint space and center of closest contact location between subchondral bone surfaces were analyzed over 0–30% stance (separate one-way repeated measures analysis of variance, load by locomotion). While walking, medial compartment contact location was 5% (~ 1.6 mm) more medial for BW than + 45%BW at foot strike (p = 0.03). While running, medial compartment contact location was 4% (~ 1.3 mm) more lateral during BW than + 25%BW at 30% stance (p = 0.04). Internal rotation was greater at + 45%BW compared to + 25%BW (p < 0.01) at 30% stance. Carried load affects tibiofemoral arthrokinematics in recruit-aged women. Prolonged load carriage could increase the risk of degenerative joint injury in physically active women.

Citation

Johnson, C. C., Dzewaltowski, A. C., Dever, D. E., Krajewski, K. T., Rai, A., Ahamed, N. U., Allison, K. F., Flanagan, S. D., Graham, S. M., Lovalekar, M., Anderst, W. J., & Connaboy, C. (2024). Load carriage changes tibiofemoral arthrokinematics during ambulatory tasks in recruit-aged women. Scientific Reports, 14(1), Article 9542. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-60187-3

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 19, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Apr 25, 2024
• Publication Date: 2024
• Deposit Date: Apr 30, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 30, 2024
• Journal: Scientific Reports
• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 14
• Issue: 1
• Article Number: 9542
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-60187-3