The huddle-technique app - a new instrument imaging knee-instability of young high performance football players. Comparison of measured angles, KT1000, KLT and subjektiv instability

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Is there a correlation between measured frontal plane projection angle, KT1000, KLT and subjektiv instability recognized by player or examiner in a cohort of 101 young high performance football players. We want to establish a reproducible tool that recognizes knee instability in a dynamic movement to prevent knee injury in young high performance athletes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rupture of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a serious knee injury. Several epidemiological studies have shown a correlation between coordination, neuromuscular control and incidence of ACL injuries. In a prospective study of 101 young high performance football players we measured the frontal plane projection angle (FPPA) in drop test with the huddle-technique app. Furthermore we captured subjektiv instability in drop test, single hop test and figure of eight test as well as basic instability criteria as lachmann test, pivot shift test, KT 1000 and KLT. RESULTS: Low FFPA angles (valgus knee) in drop test correlate with higher subjective knee instability recognized by players as well as by examiner. KT 1000 and KLT as a basic instability criteria are not reproducible relating to the subjective instability. Furthermore we investigate a correlation between measured instability with the huddle-technique app, shooting foot and shape of muscular system. CONCLUSION: The huddle-technique app is a new instrument which gives us an advise of knee instability of young high performance football players. With measuring the FFPA angle in drop test we have a reproducible tool that recognizes instability in a dynamic movement. Our aim is to identify high risk players and modify their movement pattern to avoid knee injury, especially rupture of anterior cruciate ligament. The FFPA angle measured with huddle-technique app additionally can help us to supervise success of special training programs.