The influence of single-leg landing direction on lower limbs biomechanics

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether different directions of single-leg landing tasks would influence lower limbs joints biomechanics.

METHODS

Using a controlled and experimental design, thirty physically active male subjects (age: 26.4 ± 4.4 years; height: 180.5 ± 3.7 cm; weight: 79.8: ± 4.4 kg), by dropping down from the top of a wooden box of 31 cm height, performed three one-leg landing tasks featured by different landing directions: frontward (FL), lateral (LL), and rotational (RL). The trunk and lower limbs` joints biomechanical responses were assessed through a laboratory setup consisting in a 6-camera motion capture system synchronized with force plates. A repeated measures one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to investigate the main effects of the landing directions on the lower limbs joints biomechanics during the main phases of interest of the landing tasks.

RESULTS

The results indicated two major findings: (1) FL resulted in an advantageous active whole body configuration; (2) The lower limbs' joints adopted different and specific energy absorption strategies between the landing tasks.

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicates that the different landing tasks likely generate meaningful changes in in whole body biomechanics and specific lower limbs joints kinetic and kinematic responses. Such outcomes might be used by clinicians towards a practical approach in selecting either assessment modalities or exercise interventions.