Editorial Type:
Article Category: Research Article
 | 
Online Publication Date: 18 Apr 2024

Jump Landing Kinematics: Establishing Normative Ranges For Male And Female Athletes

PT, DPT,
PT, DPT,
PhD, ATC, and
PhD, ATC
DOI: 10.4085/1062-6050-0006.24
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Abstract

Context

Lower extremity joint (LE) kinematics during landing tasks are important predictors of injury risk and performance outcomes in athletes.

Objective

To establish sex-related differences and normative ranges for LE kinematics during the jump-landing task in a large cohort of healthy military service academy cadets.

Design

Cross-Sectional Study.

Setting

US Air Force, Naval, and Military Academies.

Participants

5308 cadets (2062 females [38.8%]).

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Sex-related differences in LE kinematics were analyzed using independent samples t-tests. Mean differences (MD) and effect sizes (d) were reported for interpretability. Normative ranges for hip and knee joint angles were established separately for males and females at initial contact (IC) and 50% of the stance phase.

Results

Compared to males, moderate effect sizes (d ≥ .5) were observed for knee external rotation (negative value) where females displayed greater motion at IC and at 50% stance (MD: - 3.9˚ and -5.0˚, respectively, p < .001). The following findings were of small effect size (.2 ≥ d > .5). Females exhibited less knee and hip flexion at IC (MD: -1.8˚ and -0.5˚, respectively, p < .001) and at 50% stance (MD: -4.1˚ and -4.6˚, respectfully, p < .001). This was accompanied by females having greater knee valgus (negative value) and hip adduction at IC (MD: -2.2˚ and 1.06˚, respectively, p < .001) and at 50% stance (MD: -3.2˚ and 1.8˚, respectfully, p < .001).

Conclusion

This study establishes normative ranges for LE kinematics during the jump-landing task in a large cohort of healthy military service academy cadets entering their first year. Sex- related differences in LE kinematics were observed, highlighting the importance of considering sex as a factor in the evaluation of lower extremity movement quality and management of injury risk.

Contributor Notes

Corresponding author: Name: Jeffrey A. Turner Email: Jeffrey.Turner@unc.edu Address: 3 Casabelle Court, Durham NC 27713 Phone: 425-772-8524 Twitter: @JeffreyATurner
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