Correlations Between Vertical Ground Reaction Force, Sagittal Joint Angles, and the Muscle Co-Contraction Index During Single-Leg Jump-Landing

Abstract

Background: Impact and lower extremity joint angles during landing are factors that can increase the risk of anterior cruciate ligament injuries. However, the correlations between these factors and lower extremity muscle activation during the flight phase, which may affect these factors, are unknown. Objectives: The present study aimed to clarify the correlations between the peak vertical ground reaction force (pVGRF), sagittal joint angles during the landing phase, and the vastus medialis (VM) and semitendinosus (ST) muscle co-contraction index (CCI) during the flight phase in single-leg jump-landing. Methods: Fourteen healthy, physically active volunteers (age, 22.6 ± 2.7 years; height, 164.4 ± 7.6 cm; body weight, 58.9 ± 8.9 kg; body mass index, 21.7 ± 2.3 kg/m 2) participated. All subjects performed a single-leg jump-landing task. The pVGRF variables and the sagittal joint angles during the landing phase were measured. The CCI between the VM and ST during the flight phase was measured. The correlations between the VGRF variables, sagittal joint angles, and CCI were assessed using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. Results: The knee flexion angle at the pVGRF was negatively correlated with the magnitude of pVGRF (ρ =-0.609, P = 0.021). The knee flexion angle at the pVGRF was negatively correlated with the CCI during the flight phase in single-leg jump-landing (ρ =-0.627, P = 0.016). Conclusions: An excessive CCI between the VM and ST during the flight phase might be indirectly related to a greater landing impact after a single-leg jump.

Characteristics of landing impact in athletes who have not returned to sports at the pre-injury competition level after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

“…A previous study of healthy athletes measured VGRF during single-leg jump landing with the same equipment and method, and the median (interquartile range) pVGRF was 371.7 (83.1) %body weight. 27 Although the results of this study cannot be statistically compared with those of previous studies, the results suggest that the pVGRF of the YRTS group is not larger than that of healthy athletes, but that the pVGRF of the NRTS group is smaller.…”

“…All participants performed a single-leg jump landing task. 27 A 20-cm-high box was placed 60 cm from the centre of the force plate. The participants stood on the step on their measurement leg with the opposite hip and knee bent at 45° and 90°, respectively, and neutral hip rotation.…”

Children’s Single-Leg Landing Movement Capability Analysis According to the Type of Sport Practiced

“…This supports previous findings which concluded that volleyball players seem to be able to absorb an impact force between 1.9 to 4.0 times their body weight [ 31 , 39 , 40 ]. These results might be related to lower limb movement, wherein a negative correlation between knee flexion and the magnitude of the peak GRF is found [ 41 , 42 ]. This could be also due to the nature of volleyball wherein, rather than gymnastics during landing, volleyball players must control their GRF quickly in order to react to any other unexpected stimuli incoming from the game [ 43 ].…”

Association between landing biomechanics, knee pain, and kinesiophobia in athletes following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: A cross‐sectional study

“…A previous study comparing the biomechanics of double‐ and single‐leg landing tasks showed that the double‐leg landing task may not adequately represent the risk of ACL injury 31 . Thus single‐leg jump landing was assessed based on a previous study 32 . Participants performed a single‐leg jump landing task with their operated leg.…”

“…31 Thus single-leg jump landing was assessed based on a previous study. 32 Participants performed a single-leg jump landing task with their operated leg. A 20-cm-high box was placed 60 cm from the center of force plate.…”