Examining The Effects Of Different Knee Flexion Angles And Different Quadriceps Muscle Strengths On The Patellar Tendon
School Name
Greenville Technical Charter High School
Grade Level
12th Grade
Presentation Topic
Physiology and Health
Presentation Type
Non-Mentored
Abstract
In the Knee, there is a strong, flat ligament commonly known as the Patellar Ligament or the Patellar Tendon. The Patellar Tendon originates apex of the patella distally, surrounds the patella, and inserts below the knee joint at the tibial tuberosity. When it undergoes high tensions or strong pressures, it can be injured. In sports and orthopedics, people will sometimes refer to this as a “Jumper’s Knee”. While a very strong force is required to tear a healthy patellar tendon, a weakened tendon is more likely to become injured with minimal force. In sports, heavy squats and deep knee bends are assumed to strengthen the leg, but this stress may in fact weaken the patellar tendon if performed incorrectly. The project aims to provide an extensive understanding of the effect of certain knee angles and different quadriceps muscle strengths at the inflection point of the Patellar Tendon. A functioning model of the human knee will be built utilizing different sized springs for the quadriceps muscle sizes, and a guitar tuner mechanism as the patellar tendon. Hooke’s law will be used to determine the force inflicted on the patellar tendon. This will demonstrate which angles on flexion at the knee joint are the most dangerous. Next, different strength springs will be used to simulate different muscle strengths. Again, Hooke’s Law will be applied to determine the force inflicted on the Patellar Tendon. The overall objective is to provide further understanding of the effects of different knee flexion angles and quadriceps muscle sizes on the patellar tendon. The results will help doctors and athletic trainers in setting flexion restrictions on patients’ knee braces and determining which exercises will better help the patients in the healing process. Furthermore, the results will also help athletes and coaches by demonstrating the harms of strenuous activities such as deep knee bends and heavy squats.
Recommended Citation
Abdeladl, Omar, "Examining The Effects Of Different Knee Flexion Angles And Different Quadriceps Muscle Strengths On The Patellar Tendon" (2015). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 177.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2015/all/177
Start Date
4-11-2015 8:30 AM
End Date
4-11-2015 8:45 AM
Examining The Effects Of Different Knee Flexion Angles And Different Quadriceps Muscle Strengths On The Patellar Tendon
In the Knee, there is a strong, flat ligament commonly known as the Patellar Ligament or the Patellar Tendon. The Patellar Tendon originates apex of the patella distally, surrounds the patella, and inserts below the knee joint at the tibial tuberosity. When it undergoes high tensions or strong pressures, it can be injured. In sports and orthopedics, people will sometimes refer to this as a “Jumper’s Knee”. While a very strong force is required to tear a healthy patellar tendon, a weakened tendon is more likely to become injured with minimal force. In sports, heavy squats and deep knee bends are assumed to strengthen the leg, but this stress may in fact weaken the patellar tendon if performed incorrectly. The project aims to provide an extensive understanding of the effect of certain knee angles and different quadriceps muscle strengths at the inflection point of the Patellar Tendon. A functioning model of the human knee will be built utilizing different sized springs for the quadriceps muscle sizes, and a guitar tuner mechanism as the patellar tendon. Hooke’s law will be used to determine the force inflicted on the patellar tendon. This will demonstrate which angles on flexion at the knee joint are the most dangerous. Next, different strength springs will be used to simulate different muscle strengths. Again, Hooke’s Law will be applied to determine the force inflicted on the Patellar Tendon. The overall objective is to provide further understanding of the effects of different knee flexion angles and quadriceps muscle sizes on the patellar tendon. The results will help doctors and athletic trainers in setting flexion restrictions on patients’ knee braces and determining which exercises will better help the patients in the healing process. Furthermore, the results will also help athletes and coaches by demonstrating the harms of strenuous activities such as deep knee bends and heavy squats.
