Numerical simulation of lower limb forces during basketball pivot movements investigating injury prevention strategies

Basketball is a dynamic sport characterized by high-intensity movements such as pivoting, cutting, and jumping, which place significant biomechanical stress on the lower limbs. These movements increase the risk of injury, particularly to the knee, ankle, and hip joints. This study investigates the biomechanical forces acting on the lower limbs during basketball pivot movements, explicitly focusing on injury prevention strategies. Using advanced biomechanical modeling techniques, including Motion Capture System (MCS), Force Plate Measurements (FPM), and electromyography (EMG), the study quantifies joint forces, muscle activation patterns, and Ground Reaction Forces (GRF) during pivoting, cutting, and jumping. A fatigue protocol was incorporated to examine how fatigue impacts force distribution and injury risk, with particular attention to Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) strain and meniscal damage. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and inverse dynamics modeling were employed to simulate the internal forces acting on the knee, ankle, and hip joints, providing insights into the injury mechanisms associated with basketball movements. The kinematic analysis reveals that jumping produces the highest knee flexion (52.3°) and extension (130.8°), with maximum angular velocity (332.7 deg/s) and acceleration (1456.8 deg/s2), indicating the explosive nature of the movement. In the kinetic analysis, vertical GRF is highest during jumping, reaching 1897.4 N, while the knee joint reaction force peaks at 2876.3 N. A fatigue protocol was incorporated, showing that post-fatigue vertical GRF increased by 4%–5%, knee joint moments rose by 6%–8%, and quadriceps and hamstring activation dropped by 7%–8%. FEA highlighted that ACL stress is highest during jumping (23.1 MPa), with corresponding ACL strain at 9.7%. The results highlight that fatigue exacerbates joint loading and reduces muscle efficiency, increasing injury risks, especially during high-impact movements. This study provides practical recommendations for training regimens to enhance muscle coordination and reduce the likelihood of lower limb injuries among basketball players.