Knee-ligament loading properties as influenced by gravity. I - Junction with bone of 3-G rodents

The effect of 3-G conditions on the bone-to-ligament junctions of the knee is studied in rats. Results following chronic 3-G centrifugation of rats show that their bone-to-ligament junctions exhibited a force-sustaining capacity (F) which was 95 + or - 12% of the value for the control group. However, F was actually 29 + or - 5% greater for centrifuged rats than for control rats of comparable size, as the experimental animals grew to smaller body mass. It is concluded that gravity determines part of the magnitude of F, and therefore this value will probably be weaker after development in a weightless environment.