Effects of Gender and Foot-Landing Techniques on Lower Extremity Kinematics during Drop-Jump Landings

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess kinematic lower extremity motion patterns (hip flexion, knee flexion, knee valgus, and ankle dorsiflexion) during various foot-landing techniques (self-preferred, forefoot, and rear foot) between genders. 3-D kinematics were collected on 50 (25 male and 25 female) college-age recreational athletes selected from a sample of convenience. Separate repeated-measures ANOVAs were used to analyze each variable at three time instants (initial contact, peak vertical ground reaction force, and maximum knee flexion angle). There were no significant differences found between genders at the three instants for each variable. At initial contact, the forefoot technique (35.79° ± 11.78°) resulted in significantly (p= .001) less hip flexion than did the self-preferred (41.25° ± 12.89°) and rear foot (43.15° ± 11.77°) techniques. At peak vertical ground reaction force, the rear foot technique (26.77° ± 9.49°) presented significantly lower (p= .001) knee flexion angles as compared with forefoot (58.77° ± 20.00°) and self-preferred (54.21° ± 23.78°) techniques. A significant difference for knee valgus angles (p= .001) was also found between landing techniques at peak vertical ground reaction force. The self-preferred (4.12° ± 7.51°) and forefoot (4.97° ± 7.90°) techniques presented greater knee varus angles as compared with the rear foot technique (0.08° ± 6.52°). The rear foot technique created more ankle dorsiflexion and less knee flexion than did the other techniques. The lack of gender differences can mean that lower extremity injuries (e.g., ACL tears) may not be related solely to gender but may instead be associated with the landing technique used and, consequently, the way each individual absorbs jump-landing energy.

Neuromuscular Characteristics of Individuals Displaying Excessive Medial Knee Displacement

“…In a separate study of the same participants, we 9 reported a 20% decrease in ankle dorsiflexion range of motion in the MKD compared with the CON group. Sigward et al 33 35 also supports this concept: Participants performed rear-foot landings (landing on the heels in a dorsiflexed position) instead of using their preferred landing styles. During rear-foot landings, participants displayed greater knee-valgus angle at initial contact and decreased dorsiflexion motion after landing compared with their preferred landing styles.…”

Effects of Skill Level and Feet Width on Kinematic and Kinetic Variables during Jump Rope Single Under

“…Therefore, a theoretical basis for minimizing the movement of the thorax segment and preserving posture and energy efficiency during landing is supported by our observations. The landing motion is also divided into forefoot landing and hindfoot landing depending on where the foot touches the ground after the jump (Cortes et al, 2007). A forefoot landing occurs when the toe part of the foot touches the ground first.…”

Asymmetrical loading demands associated with vertical jump landings in people with unilateral transtibial amputation

“…In general, the participants with TTA were mostly symmetrical at the knee and hip angles at TD, while those presenting with the greatest intact plantar flexion at TD landed with a more extended residual-limb knee, most likely in an attempt to maintain stability at that joint [39][40] and postural control by keeping the CoM over the base of support [41]. However, this strategy may expose them to anterior cruciate ligament injury, since the hamstring muscles are less able to prevent tibial translation with the knee closer to extension [42].…”