Sex Differences in Drop Landing

Abstract

We suspected that the observed inconsistency of sex differences in drop-landing motor skills might be due to the confounding factor of prior experience. Thus, in this study, we explored the role of experience in shaping male and female surfboard riders' motor skill kinematics during drop landings while surfboard riding. We recruited 42 participants (21 females and 21 males) from three groups of surfing experience levels (competitive surfers, recreational surfers, and nonsurfers), each equally comprising seven males and seven females. Sagittal plane kinematics and vertical ground reaction force data were collected from all participants during a laboratory-based 60-cm drop-landing task. Knee flexion and ankle dorsiflexion at initial ground contact were greater among male participants, independent of experience level. In both sexes, greater range of motion at these joints was related to greater experience. Recreational female surfers landed in a more upright posture with more extended ankle and knee angles and less ankle dorsiflexion at the end of landing than participants in all other groups. We discuss our results in the context of possible remaining experience differences between male and female participants despite being grouped in the same experience levels in our study, individualized motor patterns that may still achieve similar success, and a need for continued research.

Training for success: Do simulated aerial landings replicate successful aerial landings performed in the ocean?

“…For example, in a study of competitive, recreational surfers, and non-surfers, participants displayed between 67.7 ± 4.8° and 81.1 ± 11.5° of knee flexion and 54.4 ± 9.8° and 60.7 ± 15.8° of hip flexion, with the competitive surfers using the greatest ROM at both joints. 26 Participants in the present study displayed much less knee and hip ROM when performing the simulated aerial tasks, with the trail limb hip only moving, on average, through 24.2 ± 22.5° of flexion during the FAR (see Table 2). Many researchers have suggested that a reduced joint ROM during landing results in elevated ground reaction forces, 21,30,31 linking landing techniques with restricted joint ROM to possible injury.…”

“…Previous landing research has shown that participants typically land with the ankle plantar flexed at IC, both during traditional dry-land landings (ie, drop landings) 26,27 and simulated surfing landings. 28 This plantar flexed ankle position at IC allows these participants to use an additional segment (ie, the foot) to dissipate the impact forces during the landing event.…”

“…These knee and hip movement patterns displayed by the surfers are distinctly different to those previously shown in landing research. 21,26 Prior to initial footground contact, it is common for athletes to extend their lower limb joints to ensure that there is additional ROM, and thus time, over which to absorb the impact forces generated at IC. For example, in a study of competitive, recreational surfers, and non-surfers, participants displayed between 67.7 ± 4.8° and 81.1 ± 11.5° of knee flexion and 54.4 ± 9.8° and 60.7 ± 15.8° of hip flexion, with the competitive surfers using the greatest ROM at both joints.…”