Lower extremity energy absorption in individuals with lower extremity musculoskeletal injury history during functional tasks: A scoping review

Background: Recent evidence has utilized energetic absorption as an alternative method to evaluate biomechanical profiles associated with lower extremity injury risk. The aim of scoping review is to summarize the literatures that utilized energetic analysis in individuals with lower extremity injury history during functional tasks. Methods: A literature search, conducted in August 2023, involved four databases—PubMed, SPORTDiscus, Scopus, and Web of Science. A manual search was performed to identify additional articles. Findings: Among the 17 included studies, we identified 11 and 6 articles investigated lower extremity energetic absorption in individuals with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and chronic ankle instability history during jump-related tasks, receptively. Individuals with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction displayed a reduction of energetic absorption in the involved knee, coupled with increased energetic absorption in the involved hip, as compared to the uninvolved limb or the reference group. The findings in those with chronic ankle instability were varied. Most studies suggested that individuals with chronic ankle instability displayed a compensatory movement pattern to off-load their ankle joint, while concurrently increasing energy absorbed at the knee joint compared to the reference group. Conversely, one study suggested that individuals with chronic ankle instability might rely more on their ankle joint for energy absorption. Interpretation: Our findings indicated that both individuals with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and chronic ankle instability displayed a distinctive compensatory strategy during landing. This strategy is characterized by increasing energy dissipation on the proximal joints, compensating for a reduction on the distal joint to dissipate less energy.