Motor competence explains the variance in biomechanical variables related to anterior cruciate ligament injury risk, with distinct predictors for male and female athletes

Purpose: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries have consistently been linked to specific kinetic and kinematic patterns, including elevated vertical ground reaction forces, increased knee abduction angle and moment (dynamic valgus), reduced knee flexion during landing and excessive hip adduction/internal rotation. However, the relationship between motor competence as a factor affecting athletes' performance and kinetic and kinematic variables has not yet been investigated. Methods: A total of 112 elite athletes (66 males and 46 females; mean age = 19.4 ± 1.1 years) from basketball, volleyball and handball were assessed. Motor competence was evaluated using the short form of the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency. Biomechanical data were collected during a single-leg drop landing task using a three-dimensional motion analysis system (Vicon) and a force plate. Pearson correlation coefficients and multiple linear regression (Enter method) were used to analyse relationships between motor competence and kinetic/kinematic variables. Results: = -0.576) demonstrated strong associations. Regression analysis identified several biomechanical variables that were statistically associated with motor competence, explaining 69.6% of its variance. Conclusion: Motor competence was related to several kinetic and kinematic variables previously linked to ACL injury risk. However, due to the cross-sectional design, these associations should not be interpreted as causal, and further longitudinal or interventional studies are warranted. Level of Evidence: Level IV, cross-sectional study.