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Int J Sports Med 2016; 37(03): 245-250
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1555858
Orthopedics & Biomechanics
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Prospective Study of the Relation between Landing Biomechanics and Jumper’s Knee

H. van der Worp
1   Center for Sports Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center, Groningen, Netherlands
,
H. T. D. van der Does
2   School of Sports Studies, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Groningen, Netherlands
,
M. S. Brink
3   Center for Human Movement Sciences, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
,
J. Zwerver
1   Center for Sports Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center, Groningen, Netherlands
,
J. M. Hijmans
4   Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center, Groningen, Netherlands
› Author Affiliations
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Publication History



accepted after revision 01 June 2015

Publication Date:
23 December 2015 (online)

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Abstract

The literature on the relation between jump biomechanics and jumper’s knee indicates that a jump with horizontal displacement poses a threat for developing jumper’s knee. Subjects with jumper’s knee have been shown to display a stiff landing pattern characterized by a small range of motion. However, up to now only cross-sectional studies have been conducted. 6 teams from sports involving repetitive landing were followed prospectively for 2 years. At baseline athletes performed the Landing Error Scoring System jump and 3D kinematics and kinetics were obtained. A comparison was made between subjects who developed jumper’s knee and those who did not develop it. 3 subjects developed jumper’s knee during the study. Leg stiffness during landing was high compared to the mean of the healthy controls. No common kinematic patterns could be identified in these 3 subjects. The results suggest that athletes with high leg stiffness during landing might have an increased risk for developing jumper’s knee, yet this conclusion is based on a very small sample. Subjects who develop jumper’s knee do not show a common landing technique. Further research is needed to investigate whether leg stiffness can be used to identify athletes at risk and as a target variable to be used in prevention.

Key words

athletic injury - jump-landing - patellar - leg stiffness - tendinopathy
 

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