Int J Sports Med 2015; 36(01): 75-81
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1384549
Orthopedics & Biomechanics
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Sex-Specific Effects of Surface Instability on Drop Jump and Landing Biomechanics

O. Prieske
1   Division of Training and Movement Sciences, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
,
T. Muehlbauer
1   Division of Training and Movement Sciences, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
,
T. Krueger
1   Division of Training and Movement Sciences, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
,
A. Kibele
2   Sport Science, University of Kassel, Kassel, Germany
,
D. Behm
3   Memorial University of Newfoundland, School of Human Kinetics and Recreation, St. John’s, Canada
,
U. Granacher
1   Division of Training and Movement Sciences, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History



accepted after revision 21 May 2014

Publication Date:
29 September 2014 (online)

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Abstract

This study investigated sex-specific effects of surface instability on kinetics and lower extremity kinematics during drop jumping and landing. Ground reaction forces as well as knee valgus and flexion angles were tested in 14 males (age: 23±2 years) and 14 females (age: 24±3 years) when jumping and landing on stable and unstable surfaces. Jump height was found to be significantly lower (9%, p<0.001) when drop jumps were performed on unstable vs. stable surface. Significantly higher peak ground reaction forces were observed when jumping was performed on unstable versus stable surfaces (5%, p=0.022). Regarding frontal plane kinematics during jumping and landing, knee valgus angles were higher on unstable compared to stable surfaces (19-32%, p<0.05). Additionally, at the onset of ground contact during landings, females showed higher knee valgus angles than males (222%, p=0.027). Sagittal plane kinematics indicated significantly smaller knee flexion angles (6–35%, p<0.05) when jumping and landing on unstable vs. stable surfaces. During drop jumps and landings, women showed smaller knee flexion angles at ground contact compared to men (27–33%, p<0.05). These findings imply that knee motion strategies were modified by surface instability and sex during drop jumps and landings.