Lasse Mausehund

• Mausehund, Lasse; Bieri, Laura & Krosshaug, Tron (2026). Fake-cut maneuvers: biomechanical determinants of performance and ACL injury risk. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living. 8. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2026.1856706. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Change-of-direction maneuvers can be executed with deceptive intent (‘fake-cuts’), yet the biomechanical determinants of fake-cut performance and their trade-offs with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury risk remain poorly understood. Therefore, we compared cutting biomechanics between skilled and less skilled fake-cut performers during sport-specific fake-cut maneuvers. Methods Ninety-six handball players performed fake-cuts while 3D kinematics and kinetics were recorded. Fake-cut performance was classified by each player's primary coach, and performance groups were compared using factorial ANOVA. Results Skilled fake-cut performers displayed shorter ground contact times, higher movement speeds throughout stance, a shallower cutting angle and greater cutting width compared with less skilled performers. They also showed greater and faster head movements against the intended cutting direction, suggesting upper-body-driven deception. No clear group differences were observed in ACL injury risk–related knee biomechanics within the first 100 ms after initial contact. However, skilled performers showed greater peak knee abduction moment across the stance phase. Also, several biomechanical characteristics associated with superior fake-cut performance have previously been linked to greater ACL injury–related knee loading. Conclusion Overall, effective fake-cut performance appears to rely on speed-oriented cutting mechanics and upper-body-driven deception. At the same time, the present findings may indicate a performance–injury conflict during fake-cut maneuvers. Cutting technique strategies that reduce ACL injury risk without impairing fake-cut performance warrant further investigation.

• Müller-Kühnle, Julian; Bill, Kevin; Thun, Patrik; Mai, Patrick; Bagehorn, Timo & Kamatsuki, Yusuke [Show all 18 contributors for this article] (2025). A Novel Cutting Technique and Resistance Training Intervention to Improve Movement Patterns in Youth Female Handball Players. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy Open (JOSPT Open). 3(4), p. 473–482. doi: 10.2519/josptopen.2025.0144. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  OBJECTIVE: To assess whether a 9-week intervention combining cutting technique retraining and hip/calf resistance exercises reduced knee abduction moment (KAM) in young female handball players. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. METHODS: Forty female players (aged 15-18 years) were assigned to an intervention group (IG; n = 20) or control group (CG; n = 20). KAM during sidestep cutting and isometric strength were assessed preintervention and postintervention. The IG completed a twice-weekly program integrated into team practice. RESULTS: Group × time interaction was not significant for KAM ( P = .366) or foot strike angle (FSA; P = .171). Both groups reduced KAM ( P = .002; IG: 0.68 ± 0.16 to 0.59 ± 0.21 Nm/kg*m; CG: 0.68 ± 0.31 to 0.53 ± 0.22 Nm/kg*m) and increased FSA ( P = .040). Knee valgus angle showed no significant interaction ( P = .462) or main effects ( P = .148, P = .080). There was no interaction for hip external rotation, hip abduction, or ankle plantarflexion strength ( P≥.05). Hip abduction strength increased over time ( P = .046) without group differences. CONCLUSION: The intervention did not significantly improve KAM or strength versus standard training, though trends suggest possible effects on cutting mechanics. JOSPT Open 2025;3(4):473-482. Epub 20 August 2025. doi:10.2519/josptopen.2025.0144

• Gundersen, Andreas H.; Krosshaug, Tron; Mausehund, Lasse; Tillaar, Roland Johannes Wilhelmus van den & Larsen, Stian (2025). The impact of grip width on kinetics and kinematics in the shoulder press among resistance-trained men. Sports Biomechanics. ISSN 1476-3141. p. 1–15. doi: 10.1080/14763141.2025.2590028. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This study investigated the impact of grip width on kinematics and kinetics in the seated barbell shoulder press among resistance-trained men. Eleven participants (age: 25.9 ± 3.1 years, height: 180.4 ± 5.4 cm, body mass: 87.0 ± 7.9 kg) performed eight repetitions to failure with a narrow, medium and wide grip width. Statistical parametric mapping was used to analyse kinematics and kinetics during the entire concentric phase of the last repetition. The main findings revealed that narrower grips increased both load lifted, and shoulder, and elbow range of motion. Moreover, grip width influenced horizontal barbell forces throughout 100% of the lift, and joint kinetics during the initial 64% of the lift. Wider grips increased lateral barbell forces and reduced elbow net joint moments (NJMs), while narrower grips increased medial forces and reduced shoulder NJMs. These findings suggest that grip width modulates joint kinematics, NJMs and lateral barbell forces during the shoulder press. Based on our findings, practitioners can make technical adjustments according to individual training goals, or tailor execution to minimise pain or injury risk. For example, by increasing or decreasing loading of a specific joint or altering joint ROM according to the athlete’s or patient’s needs.

• Bill, Kevin; Bartsch, Julia; Willwacher, Steffen; Eriksrud, Ola; Mausehund, Lasse & Kersting, Uwe [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2025). Same Same but Different: Why Both Sport-Specific Cutting Tasks and Generic Change-of-Direction Tasks Might Need to Be Considered to Prevent ACL Injury. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy Open (JOSPT Open). 3(2), p. 162–170. doi: 10.2519/josptopen.2024.0076. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  OBJECTIVES: To compare knee abduction moment (KAM) magnitudes between a generic 180° pivot turn (modified 505 change-of-direction test [m505]) and a handball-specific sidestep cut, to assess ranking consistency, and to examine the resultant ground reaction force (GRF) and its frontal plane moment arm to the knee to comprehend their contributions to KAM. STUDY DESIGN: Observational laboratory study. METHODS: High-level female handball players (n = 45) performed the m505 and the handball-specific sidestep cut. The resultant GRF and its frontal plane moment arm to the knee as well as KAM were obtained and subsequently compared between tasks. Rank correlation coefficients were employed to assess if the variables of both tasks were related. RESULTS: Peak KAM was similar for the m505 and the sidestep cut (median [range], 1.79 [0.95-3.53] Nm/kg vs 1.64 [0.34-3.60] Nm/kg; r b = .25; P = .14). The ranking of the players’ peak KAM differed substantially ( r s = .26; P = .084), suggesting that different tasks could classify the same player with different injury risk. The m505 generated lower resultant GRFs (24 ± 4 N/kg, 95% CI [23, 24] vs 33 ± 9 N/kg, 95% CI [31, 35]; d = 1.30; P<.001) but longer frontal plane moment arms (7.8 ± 1.8 cm, 95% CI [7.3, 8.4] vs 5.4 ± 1.5 cm, 95% CI [5.0, 5.8]; d = 1.36; P<.001) compared to those generated by the sidestep cut. CONCLUSION: A difference in individual anterior cruciate ligament injury risk assessment depending on movement type was revealed. While KAM magnitudes were similar across direction-change tasks, player rankings differed. The contributions of resultant GRF and frontal plane moment arms to peak KAM varied between tasks, underscoring the importance of task-specific and individualized injury prevention. JOSPT Open 2025;3(2):162-170. Epub 4 December 2024. doi:10.2519/josptopen.2024.0076

• Mausehund, Lasse; Patron, Anri; Äyrämö, Sami & Krosshaug, Tron (2025). Cluster analysis of cutting technique—a valuable approach for assessing anterior cruciate ligament injury risk? Frontiers in Sports and Active Living. 7. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2025.1463272. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background: Despite extensive efforts to pinpoint singular biomechanical risk factors for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, research findings are still inconclusive. By combining multiple biomechanical variables, cluster analyses could help us identify safe and risky cutting technique strategies. Purpose: To identify common movement strategies during cutting maneuvers and to assess their association with ACL injury risk. Methods: A total of 754 female elite handball and football players, including 59 with a history of ACL injury, performed a sport-specific cutting task while 3D biomechanics were recorded. Over an 8-year follow-up period, 43 of these players sustained a primary ACL injury and 13 players a secondary ACL injury. Cutting technique was described using 36 discrete kinematic variables. To identify different cutting techniques, we employed a K-means clustering algorithm on data subsets involving different numbers of kinematic variables (36, 13 and 5 variables) and different sports (handball, football, and both combined). To assess the impact of the identified cutting technique clusters on ACL injury risk, we compared the proportion of injured players between these clusters using the Fisher-Freeman-Halton Exact test and adjusted rand indices (ARI). Results: We identified two distinguishable cutting technique clusters in the subset involving both sports and five kinematics variables (average silhouette score, ASS = 0.35). However, these clusters were formed based on sport- or task-related differences (Fisher's p < 0.001, ARI = 0.83) rather than injury-related differences (Fisher's p = 0.417, ARI = 0.00). We also found two cutting technique clusters in the handball (ASS = 0.23) and football (ASS = 0.30) subsets with five kinematic variables. However, none of these clusters appeared to be associated with ACL injury risk (Fisher's p > 0.05, ARI = 0.00). Conclusion: No safe or risky cutting technique strategies could be discerned among female elite handball and football players. Cluster analysis of cutting technique, using a K-means algorithm, did not prove to be a valuable approach for assessing ACL injury risk in this dataset.

• Bill, Kevin; Mai, Patrick; Mausehund, Lasse; Solbakken, Sigurd; Krosshaug, Tron & Kersting, Uwe G. (2024). Individualized Technique Feedback for Instant Technique Improvements and Knee Abduction Moment Reductions – A New Approach for ‘Sidestepping’ ACL Injuries? International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy. 19(5), p. 535–547. doi: 10.26603/001c.116274. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background: Sidestep cutting technique is highly individual and has been shown to influence knee joint loading. However, studies assessing whether individualized technique feedback improves technique and ACL injury-relevant knee joint loads instantly in a sport-specific task are lacking. Purpose: To determine the instant effects of individualized augmented technique feedback and instructions on technique and the peak external knee abduction moment (pKAM) in a handball-specific sidestep cut. Additionally, to determine the effects of technique modifications on the resultant ground reaction force and its frontal plane moment arm to the knee joint center. Study Design: Controlled laboratory cohort study Methods: Three-dimensional biomechanics of 48 adolescent female handball players were recorded during a handball-specific sidestep cut. Following baseline cuts to each side, leg-specific visual and verbal technique feedback on foot strike angle, knee valgus motion, or vertical impact velocity using a hierarchically organized structure accounting for the variables’ association with performance was provided. Subsequently, sidestep cuts were performed again while verbal instructions were provided to guide technique modifications. Combined effects of feedback and instructions on technique and pKAM as well as on the resultant ground reaction force and its frontal plane moment arm to the knee joint center were assessed. Results: On average, each targeted technique variable improved following feedback and instructions, leading to instant reductions in pKAM of 13.4% to 17.1%. High inter-individual differences in response to feedback-instruction combinations were observed. These differences were evident in both the adherence to instructions and the impact on pKAM and its components. Conclusion: Most players were able to instantly adapt their technique and decrease ACL injury-relevant knee joint loads through individualized augmented technique feedback, thereby potentially reducing the risk of injury. More research is needed to assess the retention of these adaptations and move towards on-field technique assessments using low-cost equipment. Level of Evidence: Level 3

• Mausehund, Lasse & Krosshaug, Tron (2024). Knee Biomechanics During Cutting Maneuvers and Secondary ACL Injury Risk: A Prospective Cohort Study of Knee Biomechanics in 756 Female Elite Handball and Soccer Players. American Journal of Sports Medicine. ISSN 0363-5465. 52(5), p. 1209–1219. doi: 10.1177/03635465241234255. Full text in Research Archive
• Mai, Patrick; Bill, Kevin; Glöckler, Katharina; Claramunt-Molet, Mireia; Bartsch, Julia & Eggerud, Mathias M. [Show all 14 contributors for this article] (2022). Unanticipated fake-and-cut maneuvers do not increase knee abduction moments in sport-specific tasks: Implication for ACL injury prevention and risk screening. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living. 4. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2022.983888. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Non-contact anterior cruciate ligament injuries typically occur during cutting maneuvers and are associated with high peak knee abduction moments (KAM) within early stance. To screen athletes for injury risk or quantify the efficacy of prevention programs, it may be necessary to design tasks that mimic game situations. Thus, this study compared KAMs and ranking consistency of female handball players in three sport-specific fake-and-cut tasks of increasing complexity. The biomechanics of female handball players (n = 51, mean ± SD: 66.9 ± 7.8 kg, 1.74 ± 0.06 m, 19.2 ± 3.4 years) were recorded with a 3D motion capture system and force plates during three standardized fake-and-cut tasks. Task 1 was designed as a simple pre-planned cut, task 2 included catching a ball before a pre-planned cut in front of a static defender, and task 3 was designed as an unanticipated cut with three dynamic defenders involved. Inverse dynamics were used to calculate peak KAM within the first 100 ms of stance. KAM was decomposed into the frontal plane knee joint moment arm and resultant ground reaction force. RANOVAs (α ≤ 0.05) were used to reveal differences in the KAM magnitudes, moment arm, and resultant ground reaction force for the three tasks. Spearman's rank correlations were calculated to test the ranking consistency of the athletes' KAMs. There was a significant task main effect on KAM (p = 0.02; η2p = 0.13). The KAM in the two complex tasks was significantly higher (task 2: 1.73 Nm/kg; task 3: 1.64 Nm/kg) than the KAM in the simplest task (task 1: 1.52 Nm/kg). The ranking of the peak KAM was consistent regardless of the task complexity. Comparing tasks 1 and 2, an increase in KAM resulted from an increased frontal plane moment arm. Comparing tasks 1 and 3, higher KAM in task 3 resulted from an interplay between both moment arm and the resultant ground reaction force. In contrast to previous studies, unanticipated cutting maneuvers did not produce the highest KAMs. These findings indicate that the players have developed an automated sport-specific cutting technique that is utilized in both pre-planned and unanticipated fake-and-cut tasks.

• Mausehund, Lasse & Krosshaug, Tron (2021). Understanding Bench Press Biomechanics — Training Expertise and Sex Affect Lifting Technique and Net Joint Moments. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. ISSN 1064-8011. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000004191. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The purpose of this study was to compare normalized net joint moments (NJMs), moment arms, and muscle activity in the bench press exercise between powerlifters and recreationally strength-trained lifters and between women and men. Thirty-four healthy adults, including 12 powerlifters (6 women and 6 men) and 22 recreational lifters (9 women and 13 men), performed a 6–8 repetition maximum set of the bench press, while elbow and shoulder NJMs and moment arms and electromyographic (EMG) activity of 6 upper extremity muscles were recorded. The results showed that training expertise and sex affected bench press technique substantially. Powerlifters applied a different bar path which impacted joint kinematics to a greater extent and joint kinetics to a lesser extent. Specifically, powerlifters had lower normalized peak elbow NJMs and shorter joint ROMs than recreational lifters (p ≤ 0.05), yet no differences in normalized shoulder NJMs and muscle activity were observed. Women showed lower normalized mean shoulder NJMs, higher normalized peak elbow NJMs, and higher mean elbow to shoulder NJM ratios than men (p ≤ 0.05). The muscle activity of the long head of the triceps brachii and the elbow to shoulder EMG ratio were higher, yet muscle activity of the sternocostal and abdominal head of the pectoralis major was lower for female than for male subjects (p ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, powerlifters and men are more shoulder dominant when performing the bench press than recreational lifters and women, respectively. These findings will have implications for resistance training program design, expected training adaptations and bench press performance.

• Mausehund, Lasse; Werkhausen, Amelie; Bartsch, Julia & Krosshaug, Tron (2021). Understanding Bench Press Biomechanics-The Necessity of Measuring Lateral Barbell Forces. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. ISSN 1064-8011. 36(10), p. 2685–2695. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000003948. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The purpose of this study was to advance the expertise of the bench press exercise by complementing electromyographic (EMG) with net joint moment (NJM) and strength normalized NJM (nNJM) measurements, thus establishing the magnitude of the elbow and shoulder muscular loads and efforts. Normalized NJMs were determined as the ratio of the bench press NJMs to the maximum NJMs produced during maximum voluntary isokinetic contractions. Furthermore, we wanted to assess how changes in grip width and elbow positioning affected elbow and shoulder NJMs and nNJMs, and muscle activity of the primary movers. Thirty-five strength-trained adults performed a 6–8 repetition maximum set of each bench press variation, while elbow and shoulder NJMs and EMG activity of 7 upper extremity muscles were recorded. The results show that all bench press variations achieved high elbow and shoulder muscular efforts. A decrease in grip width induced larger elbow NJMs, and larger EMG activity of the lateral head of the triceps brachii, anterior deltoid, and clavicular head of the pectoralis major (p ≤ 0.05). An increase in grip width elicited larger shoulder NJMs and nNJMs, and larger EMG activity of the abdominal head of the pectoralis major (p ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, all bench press variations may stimulate strength gains and hypertrophy of the elbow extensors and shoulder flexors and horizontal adductors. However, greater adaptations of the elbow extensors and shoulder flexors may be expected when selecting narrower grip widths, whereas wider grip widths may induce greater adaptations of the shoulder horizontal adductors.

• Mausehund, Lasse; Skard, Audun Eithun & Krosshaug, Tron (2019). Muscle Activation in Unilateral Barbell Exercises: Implications for Strength Training and Rehabilitation. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. ISSN 1064-8011. 33(7S), p. S85–S94. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000002617. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The purpose of the present investigation was to assess lower-body muscle activity and hamstrings-to-quadriceps (HQ) activation ratios during performance of the split squat (SS), single-leg squat (SLS), and rear foot elevated split squat (RFESS), while using the same relative load and performing the exercises to muscular failure. Eleven healthy, moderately strength-trained subjects performed a 6–8 repetition maximum set of each exercise while electromyographic (EMG) activity of the vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, gluteus maximus, and gluteus medius was recorded. The results show that there were no significant differences in EMG peak activity of the gluteus maximus and vastus lateralis between any of the exercises. Gluteus medius activation was significantly (p # 0.05) higher during the SLS (81.9% maximum voluntary isometric contraction [MVIC]), compared with the RFESS (54.9% MVIC) and SS (46.2% MVIC). The RFESS elicited higher (p # 0.05) biceps femoris activity (76.1% MVIC) than the SS (62.3% MVIC), as well as higher (p # 0.05) HQ activation ratios (0.83) than the SS (0.69) and SLS (0.63). During the SLS and the SS, HQ activation ratios increased significantly in the course of the repetition maximum set. In conclusion, although absolute loading differs between exercises, similar training stimuli of the gluteus maximus and quadriceps femoris can be expected for all exercises. The SLS is likely to induce the greatest improvements in gluteus medius strength, whereas the RFESS should be preferred if high hamstring coactivation is desired. To improve validity in EMG studies, strength training exercises should be performed close to failure while using the same relative loading.

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• Mausehund, Lasse & Krosshaug, Tron (2026). Immediate effects of individualized cutting-technique feedback. Full text in Research Archive
• Mausehund, Lasse & Krosshaug, Tron (2026). Females unload the knee more than males after ACL injury during sport-specific cutting maneuvers. Full text in Research Archive
• Mausehund, Lasse & Krosshaug, Tron (2026). Fake-cut performance and ACL injury risk. Full text in Research Archive
• Mausehund, Lasse & Krosshaug, Tron (2025). Knee Biomechanics During Cutting Maneuvers and Secondary ACL Injury Risk: Response. American Journal of Sports Medicine. ISSN 0363-5465. 53(1). doi: 10.1177/03635465241294193. Full text in Research Archive
• Mausehund, Lasse (2025). Sex differences in cutting biomechanics among handball players with and without previous ACL injury. Full text in Research Archive
• Mausehund, Lasse (2025). Immediate feedback to improve cutting technique. Full text in Research Archive
• Mausehund, Lasse; Schild, Simon; Carlsen, Emil; Wiedemann, Lea; Sollman, Britt & Fischbacher, Linda [Show all 10 contributors for this article] (2025). Sex differences in cutting biomechanics among handball players with and without previous ACL injury. Full text in Research Archive
• Müller-Kühnle, Julian; Thun, Patrik; Solbakken, Sigurd; Singh, Manpreet; Mihailo, Petrovic & Bagehorn, Timo [Show all 15 contributors for this article] (2024). Impact of a nine-week training intervention on knee abduction moments and technique in female youth handball players. Full text in Research Archive
• Mausehund, Lasse; Patron, Anri; Äyrämö, Sami & Krosshaug, Tron (2024). Cluster analysis of cutting technique: A valuable approach for assessing anterior cruciate ligament injury risk? Full text in Research Archive
• Bill, Kevin; Mai, Patrick; Krosshaug, Tron; Mausehund, Lasse & Kersting, Uwe (2024). Individualized Sidestep Cutting Technique Feedback in Handball Under Consideration of Performance - Best of Both Worlds for ACL Injury Prevention? Full text in Research Archive
• Mausehund, Lasse & Krosshaug, Tron (2023). Cluster analysis of cutting technique - A valuable approach for assessing ACL injury risk? Full text in Research Archive
• Mausehund, Lasse (2022). Way are players with a previous ACL injury at elevated risk of sustaining a new secondary ACL injury? Full text in Research Archive
• Mai, Patrick; Bill, Kevin; Robertz, Leon; Glöckler, Katharina; Claramunt-Molet, Mireia & Bartsch, Julia [Show all 15 contributors for this article] (2022). Can a simplified knee abduction moment estimation be used for athlete screening? Implications for ACL injury prevention. Full text in Research Archive
• Mausehund, Lasse & Krosshaug, Tron (2022). Why are players with a previous ACL injury at elevated risk of sustaining a new secondary ACL injury? Full text in Research Archive
• Solstad, Tom Erik Jorung; Krosshaug, Tron; Mausehund, Lasse; Tillaar, Roland Johannes Wilhelmus van den; Larsen, Stian & Samnøy, Lars Edvin [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2021). Episode 50 - Rundbordsprat om øvelsen benkpress. [Internet]. Idrettsforskning . Full text in Research Archive
• Solstad, Tom Erik Jorung; Shaw, Matthew Peter & Mausehund, Lasse (2021). Episode 34 - Biomekanikk og benkpress. [Internet]. Idrettsforskning. Full text in Research Archive

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