Drop-Jump Landing Varies With Baseline Neurocognition

Abstract

Background Neurocognitive status may be a risk factor for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Neurocognitive domains such as visual attention, processing speed/reaction time, and dual-tasking may influence ACL injury risk via alterations to neuromuscular performance during athletic tasks. However, the relationship between neurocognition and performance during athletic tasks is not yet established. Hypothesis Athletes with low baseline neurocognitive scores will demonstrate poorer jump landing performance compared with athletes with high baseline neurocognitive score. Study Design Controlled laboratory study. Methods Neurocognitive performance was measured using the Concussion Resolution Index (CRI). Three-dimensional kinematic and kinetic data of the dominant limb were collected for 37 recreational athletes while performing an unanticipated jump-landing task. Healthy, nonconcussed subjects were screened using a computer-based neurocognitive test into a high performers (HP; n = 20; average CRI percentile, 78th) and a low performers (LP; n = 17; average CRI percentile, 41st) group. The task consisted of a forward jump onto a force plate with an immediate rebound to a second target that was assigned 250 milliseconds before landing on the force plate. Kinematic and kinetic data were obtained during the first jump landing. Results The LP group demonstrated significantly altered neuromuscular performance during the landing phase while completing the jump-landing task, including significantly increased peak vertical ground-reaction force (mean ± SD of LP vs HP: 1.81 ± 0.53 vs 1.38 ± 0.37 body weight [BW]; P <.01), peak anterior tibial shear force (0.91 ± 0.17 vs 0.72 ± 0.22 BW; P <.01), knee abduction moment (0.47 ± 0.56 vs 0.03 ± 0.64 BW × body height; P = .03), and knee abduction angle (6.1° ± 4.7° vs 1.3° ± 5.6°; P = .03), as well as decreased trunk flexion angle (9.6° ± 9.6° vs 16.4° ± 11.2°; P <.01). Conclusion Healthy athletes with lower baseline neurocognitive performance generate knee kinematic and kinetic patterns that are linked to ACL injury. Clinical Relevance Neurocognitive testing using the CRI may be useful for identification of athletes at elevated risk for future ACL injury.

The analysis of knee joint loading during drop landing from different heights and under different instruction sets in healthy males

“…The aforementioned biomechanical measures all increase to attenuate impact forces during landing phase. While average frontal and transverse plane moment, which were consistent with previously reported values [39, 40], were found to be statistically different between heights with moderate and small effect size, respectively, the values were smaller than those experienced by young adults in sport setting (abduction moment 1.3 Nm/kg and external rotation moment 0.2 Nm/kg) [41, 42]; and likely not clinically relevant.…”

Perceptual–Cognitive Function and Unplanned Athletic Movement Task Performance: A Systematic Review

“…The literature search ( Figure 1 ) returned 421 potentially relevant studies. After the removal of duplicates and application of exclusion criteria, four cross-sectional studies [ 10 , 19 , 20 , 21 ] and one crossover study [ 11 ] were included ( Table 1 ). Raw data had to be requested from the authors of one paper [ 11 ].…”

The Development and Reliability of 4 Clinical Neurocognitive Single-Leg Hop Tests: Implications for Return to Activity Decision-Making

“…This is with athletes who have experienced a recent concussion or have lower neurocognitive performance that demonstrated altered joint mechanics during dual tasks or when required to respond to unanticipated cues. 17,44,45 These data combined with poorer neurocognitive processing increasing risk of subsequent anterior cruciate ligament tear, indicate the need for clinical return to play tests that assess motor performance under standardized neurocognitive loads. 27,46 These neurocognitive single-leg hop tests are able to reliability assess the combined integration of motor and neurocognitive performance and may better detect subtle degrades in either system.…”

“…Several laboratory-based biomechanical reports have confirmed increased injury risk movement strategies when under cognitive or visual load, however, typical functional testing does not incorporate such visual or cognitive aspects that increase injury risk. [16][17][18][19][20] Hop testing is one of the most common assessments to determine return to play readiness. 5,8,[21][22][23] Four foundational hop tests have existed in the literature since the 1990s.…”