Numerical analysis of knee joint at maximum power tennis serve

Abstract

The aim of this paper was to computationally investigate the structural integrity and resistance of a human knee joint at the maximum power tennis serve. The assessment of knee resistance if of high importance in order to tract and evaluate the player’s health status and predict the knee injury. The methodology of this paper is based on tracking the knee’s kinematics, ground force measurement, inverse dynamics modelling and analysis of the knee using the Finite Element Method (FEM). The applied boundary conditions correspond to maximum loads during the tennis serve. The main aim was to assess the knee resistance of a tennis player, considering acute deformations and potential injuries. The obtained results show a good correlation with stress distribution in real cases. The presented knee joint model and applied methodology are excellent basis for further development of the optimized computational technology and creation of practical diagnostic tool for non-invasive assessment of the knee function during specific moves and motions in tennis.