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Background Forward and side lunge exercises strengthen hip and thigh musculature, enhance patellofemoral joint stability, and are commonly used during patellofemoral rehabilitation and training for sport. Hypothesis/Purpose The purpose was to quantify, via calculated estimates, patellofemoral force and stress between two lunge type variations (forward lunge versus side lunge) and between two step height variations (ground level versus 10 cm platform). The hypotheses were that patellofemoral force and stress would be greater at all knee angles performing the bodyweight side lunge compared to the bodyweight forward lunge, and greater when performing the forward and side lunge at ground level compared to up a 10cm platform. Study Design Controlled laboratory biomechanics repeated measures, counterbalanced design. Methods Sixteen participants performed a forward and side lunge at ground level and up a 10cm platform. Electromyographic, ground reaction force, and kinematic variables were collected and input into a biomechanical optimization model, and patellofemoral joint force and stress were calculated as a function of knee angle during the lunge descent and ascent and assessed with a repeated measures 2-way ANOVA (p<0.05). Results At 10° (p=0.003) knee angle (0° = full knee extension) during lunge descent and 10° and 30° (p<0.001) knee angles during lunge ascent patellofemoral joint force and stress were greater in forward lunge than side lunge. At 40°(p=0.005), 50°(p=0.002), 60°(p<0.001), 70°(p=0.006), 80°(p=0.005), 90°(p=0.002), and 100°(p<0.001) knee angles during lunge descent and 50°(p=0.002), 60°(p<0.001), 70°(p<0.001), 80°(p<0.001), and 90°(p<0.001) knee angles during lunge ascent patellofemoral joint force and stress were greater in side lunge than forward lunge. At 60°(p=0.009) knee angle during lunge descent and 40°(p=0.008), 50°(p=0.009), and 60°(p=0.007) knee angles during lunge ascent patellofemoral joint force and stress were greater lunging at ground level than up a 10cm platform. Conclusions Patellofemoral joint loading changed according to lunge type, step height, and knee angle. Patellofemoral compressive force and stress were greater while lunging at ground level compared to lunging up to a 10 cm platform between 40° - 60° knee angles, and greater while performing the side lunge compared to the forward lunge between 40° -100° knee angles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents research on the patellofemoral joint. The stress created by both a long- and short-step forward lunge is examined. Such exercises are commonly performed during medical rehabilitation of knee injuries. Stress on the joint was found to increase as knee flexion increased. This suggests that long-step forward lunges possess greater therapeutic value.

Introduction: Although bodyweight wall and ball squats are commonly used during patellofemoral rehabilitation, patellofemoral loading while performing these exercises is unknown, which makes it difficult for clinicians to know how to use these exercises in progressing a patient with patellofemoral pathology. Therefore, the purpose was to quantify patellofemoral force and stress between two bodyweight squat variations (ball squat vs wall squat) and between two heel-to-wall-distance (HTWD) variations (long HTWD vs short HTWD). Methods: Sixteen participants performed a dynamic ball squat and wall squat with long HTWD and short HTWD. Ground reaction force and kinematic data were used to measure resultant knee force and torque from inverse dynamics, whereas electromyographic data were used in a knee muscle model to predict resultant knee force and torque, and subsequently, all these data were inputted into a biomechanical computer optimization model to output patellofemoral joint force and stress at select knee angles. A repeated-measures two- and three-way ANOVA (P < 0.01) was used for statistical analyses. Results: Collapsed across long HTWD and short HTWD, patellofemoral joint force and stress were greater in ball squat than wall squat at 30° (P = 0.009), 40° (P = 0.008), 90° (P = 0.003), and 100° (P = 0.005) knee angles during the squat descent, and greater in wall squat than ball squat at 100° (P < 0.001), 90° (P < 0.001), 80° (P = 0.004), and 70° (P = 0.009) knee angles during squat ascent. Collapsed across ball and wall squats, patellofemoral joint force and stress were greater with a short HTWD than a long HTWD at 100° (P = 0.007) and 90° (P = 0.008) knee angles during squat ascent. Conclusions: Patellofemoral joint loading changed according to both squat type and HTWD variations. These differences occurred in part due to differences in forces the wall or ball exerted on the trunk, including friction forces. Overall, patellofemoral force and stress were greater performing the bodyweight wall squat compared with the bodyweight ball squat. Moreover, squatting with short HTWD produced anterior knee displacement beyond the toes at higher knee angles, resulting in greater patellofemoral force and stress compared with squatting with long HTWD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on comparing cruciate ligament forces between short-step forward lunge and long-step forward lunge. It states that the study utilized a two-factor repeated-measure ANOVA with a Bonferroni adjustment to asses cruciate forces difference between the lunging techniques with and without a stride. It also mentions that lunge variations are safe and appropriate during anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rehabilitation and clinicians must be cautious in prescribing lunge exercises during early stages of posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) rehabilitation. Furthermore, it discusses that understanding lunging techniques may help clinicians prescribe safe lunging exercises during ACL and PCL rehabilitation.

Background: Although weight bearing lunge exercises are frequently employed during anterior cruciate ligament and posterior cruciate ligament rehabilitation, cruciate ligament tensile forces are currently unknown while performing forward and side lunge exercises with and without a stride. Methods: Eighteen subjects used their 12 repetition maximum weight while performing a forward lunge and side lunge with and without a stride. A motion analysis system and biomechanical model were used to estimate cruciate ligament forces during lunging as a function of 0–90° knee angles. Findings: Comparing the forward lunge to the side lunge across stride variations, mean posterior cruciate ligament forces ranged between 205 and 765N and were significantly greater (P <0.0025) in the forward lunge long at 40°, 50°, 60°, 70°, and 80° knee angles of the descent phase and at 80°, 70°, 60° knee angles of the ascent phase. There were no significant differences (P <0.0025) in mean posterior cruciate ligament forces between with and without stride differences across lunging variations. There were no anterior cruciate ligament forces quantified while performing forward and side lunge exercises. Interpretation: Clinicians should be cautious in prescribing forward and side lunge exercises during early phases of posterior cruciate ligament rehabilitation due to relatively high posterior cruciate ligament forces that are generated, especially during the forward lunge at knee angles between 40° and 90° knee angles. Both the forward and side lunges appear appropriate during all phases of anterior cruciate ligament rehabilitation. Understanding how forward and side lunging affect cruciate ligament loading over varying knee angles may help clinicians better prescribe lunging exercises in a safe manner during anterior cruciate ligament and posterior cruciate ligament rehabilitation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: Although weight bearing lunge exercises are frequently employed during patellofemoral rehabilitation, patellofemoral compressive force and stress are currently unknown for these exercises. Methods: Eighteen subjects used their 12 repetition maximum weight while performing forward and side lunges with and without a stride. EMG, force platform, and kinematic variables were input into a biomechanical model, and patellofemoral compressive force and stress were calculated as a function of knee angle. Findings: Patellofemoral force and stress progressively decreased as knee flexion increased and progressively increased as knee flexion decreased. Patellofemoral force and stress were greater in the side lunge compared to the forward lunge between 80° and 90° knee angles, and greater with a stride compared to without a stride between 10° and 50° knee angles. There were no significant interactions between lunge variations and stride variations. Interpretation: A more functional knee flexion range between 0° and 50° may be appropriate during the early phases of patellofemoral rehabilitation due to lower patellofemoral compressive force and stress during this range compared to higher knee angles between 60° and 90°. Moreover, when the goal is to minimize patellofemoral compressive force and stress, it may be prudent to employ forward and side lunges without a stride compared to with a stride, especially at lower knee angles between 0° and 50°. Understanding differences in patellofemoral compressive force and stress among lunge variations may help clinicians prescribe safer and more effective exercise interventions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]