Lower Extremity Biomechanics Differ in Prepubescent and Postpubescent Female Athletes during Stride Jump Landings

2003 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 139-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris J. Hass ◽  
Elizabeth A. Schick ◽  
John W. Chow ◽  
Mark D. Tillman ◽  
Denis Brunt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Neuromuscular Control ◽  
Common Mechanism ◽  
Inverse Dynamic ◽  
Recreational Athletes ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Resultant Forces

Epidemiological evidence suggests the incidence of injury in female athletes is greater after the onset of puberty and that landing from a jump is a common mechanism of knee injury. This investigation compared lower extremity joint kinematics and joint resultant forces and moments during three types of stride jump (stride jump followed by a static landing; a ballistic vertical jump; and a ballistic lateral jump) between pre- and postpubescent recreational athletes to provide some insight into the increased incidence of injury. Sixteen recreationally active postpubescent women (ages 18–25 years) and 16 recreationally active prepubescent girls (ages 8–11 years) participated in this study. High speed 3D videography and force plate data were used to record each jumper’s performance of the stride jumps, and an inverse dynamic procedure was used to estimate lower extremity joint resultant forces and moments and power. These dependent variables were submitted to a 2 × 3 (Maturation Level × Landing Sequence) MANOVA with repeated measures on the last factor. The findings indicated that postpubescents landed with the knee more extended (4.4°) and had greater extension moments (approximately 30% greater hip and knee extension moments) and powers (40% greater knee power). Further, the post-pubescent athletes had greater knee anterior/posterior forces as well as medio-lateral resultant forces. The differences found between the two groups suggest there may be anatomical and physiological changes with puberty that lead to differences in strength or neuromuscular control which influence the dynamic restraint system in these recreational athletes. A combination of these factors likely plays a role in the increased risk of injury in postpubescent females.

Lower Extremity Kinematics of a Single-Leg Squat with an Orthotic in Male and Female Collegiate Athletes

2014 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 361-365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael F. Joseph ◽  
Kristin L. Holsing ◽  
David Tiberio
Keyword(s):  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Knee Injuries ◽  
Collegiate Athletes ◽  
Frontal Plane ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Ankle Eversion ◽  
Female Collegiate Athletes ◽  
Single Leg Squat

Kinematic differences have been linked to the gender discrepancies seen in knee injuries. A medially posted orthotic decreases frontal and transverse plane motions in the lower extremity during ambulation, squatting and landing. This study investigated the effect of a medial post on amount and timing of lower extremity motions during a single-leg squat in male and female athletes. We hypothesized there would be differences in these kinematic variables dependent upon sex and post conditions. Twenty male and female athletes performed single-leg squats with and without a five degree full-length medial post. Maximum joint angles were analyzed using a two-way, repeated-measures analysis of variance to determine if the differences created by post condition were statistically significant, whether there were gender differences, or interactions. Differences in maximum motion values and the time at which they occurred were found between men and women at the hip, knee and ankle. The post decreased all frontal plane measures in both sexes and resulted in earlier attainment of maximum ankle eversion and delayed maximum knee valgus. A medially posted orthotic may be beneficial not only in limiting motion, but in affecting the time in which stressful motions occur.

scholarly journals Association of Quadriceps and Hamstrings Cocontraction Patterns With Knee Joint Loading

2009 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 256-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Riann M. Palmieri-Smith ◽  
Scott G. McLean ◽  
James A. Ashton-Miller ◽  
Edward M. Wojtys
Keyword(s):  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Injury Risk ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Neuromuscular Control ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Peak Knee ◽  
Knee Abduction

Abstract Context: Sex differences in neuromuscular control of the lower extremity have been identified as a potential cause for the greater incidence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in female athletes compared with male athletes. Women tend to land in greater knee valgus with higher abduction loads than men. Because knee abduction loads increase ACL strain, the inability to minimize these loads may lead to ACL failure. Objective: To investigate the activation patterns of the quadriceps and hamstrings muscles with respect to the peak knee abduction moment. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Neuromuscular research laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: Twenty-one recreationally active adults (11 women, 10 men). Main Outcome Measure(s): Volunteers performed 3 trials of a 100-cm forward hop. During the hop task, we recorded surface electromyographic data from the medial and lateral hamstrings and quadriceps and recorded lower extremity kinematics and kinetics. Lateral and medial quadriceps-to-hamstrings (Q∶H) cocontraction indices, the ratio of medial-to-lateral Q∶H cocontraction, normalized root mean square electromyographic data for medial and lateral quadriceps and hamstrings, and peak knee abduction moment were calculated and used in data analyses. Results: Overall cocontraction was lower in women than in men, whereas activation was lower in the medial than in the lateral musculature in both sexes (P < .05). The medial Q∶H cocontraction index (R2  =  0.792) accounted for a significant portion of the variance in the peak knee abduction moment in women (P  =  .001). Women demonstrated less activation in the vastus medialis than in the vastus lateralis (P  =  .49) and less activation in the medial hamstrings than in the lateral hamstrings (P  =  .01). Conclusions: Medial-to-lateral Q∶H cocontraction appears to be unbalanced in women, which may limit their ability to resist abduction loads. Because higher abduction loads increase strain on the ACL, restoring medial-to-lateral Q∶H cocontraction balance in women may help reduce ACL injury risk.

scholarly journals Different Exercise Training Interventions and Drop-Landing Biomechanics in High School Female Athletes

2013 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 450-462 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate R. Pfile ◽  
Joseph M. Hart ◽  
Daniel C. Herman ◽  
Jay Hertel ◽  
D. Casey Kerrigan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Internal Rotation ◽  
Confidence Intervals ◽  
Knee Flexion ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Neuromuscular Control ◽  
Core Stability ◽  
Neuromuscular Training ◽  
Control Group

Context: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are common in female athletes and are related to poor neuromuscular control. Comprehensive neuromuscular training has been shown to improve biomechanics; however, we do not know which component of neuromuscular training is most responsible for the changes. Objective: To assess the efficacy of either a 4-week core stability program or plyometric program in altering lower extremity and trunk biomechanics during a drop vertical jump (DVJ). Design: Cohort study. Setting: High school athletic fields and motion analysis laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: Twenty-three high school female athletes (age = 14.8 ± 0.8 years, height = 1.7 ± 0.07 m, mass = 57.7 ± 8.5 kg). Intervention(s): Independent variables were group (core stability, plyometric, control) and time (pretest, posttest). Participants performed 5 DVJs at pretest and posttest. Intervention participants engaged in a 4-week core stability or plyometric program. Main Outcome Measure(s): Dependent variables were 3-dimensional hip, knee, and trunk kinetics and kinematics during the landing phase of a DVJ. We calculated the group means and associated 95% confidence intervals for the first 25% of landing. Cohen d effect sizes with 95% confidence intervals were calculated for all differences. Results: We found within-group differences for lower extremity biomechanics for both intervention groups (P ≤ .05). The plyometric group decreased the knee-flexion and knee internal-rotation angles and the knee-flexion and knee-abduction moments. The core stability group decreased the knee-flexion and knee internal-rotation angles and the hip-flexion and hip internal-rotation moments. The control group decreased the knee external-rotation moment. All kinetic changes had a strong effect size (Cohen d > 0.80). Conclusions: Both programs resulted in biomechanical changes, suggesting that both types of exercises are warranted for ACL injury prevention and should be implemented by trained professionals.

scholarly journals Relationship Between Cognitive Performance and Lower Extremity Biomechanics: Implications for Sports-Related Concussion

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 232596712110322
Author(s):  
Jason M. Avedesian ◽  
Tracey Covassin ◽  
Shelby Baez ◽  
Jennifer Nash ◽  
Ed Nagelhout ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reaction Time ◽  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Collegiate Athletes ◽  
Neuromuscular Control ◽  
Cognitive Test ◽  
Injury Incidence ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
History Of

Background: Collegiate athletes with prior sports-related concussion (SRC) are at increased risk for lower extremity (LE) injuries; however, the biomechanical and cognitive mechanisms underlying the SRC-LE injury relationship are not well understood. Purpose: To examine the association between cognitive performance and LE land-and-cut biomechanics among collegiate athletes with and without a history of SRC and to determine the association among multiple cognitive testing batteries in the same athlete cohort. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: A cohort of 20 collegiate athletes with prior SRC (9 men, 11 women; mean ± standard deviation [SD] age, 20.5 ± 1.3 years; mean ± SD time since last SRC, 461 ± 263 days) and 20 matched controls (9 men, 11 women; mean ± SD age, 19.8 ± 1.3 years) completed land-and-cut tasks using the dominant and nondominant limbs. LE biomechanical variables and a functional visuomotor reaction time (FVMRT) were collected during each trial. Athletes also completed the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Test (ImPACT) and Senaptec Sensory Station assessments. Results: In the SRC cohort, Pearson correlation coefficients indicated slower FVMRT was moderately correlated with decreased dominant limb ( r = –0.512) and nondominant limb ( r = –0.500) knee flexion, while increased dominant limb knee abduction moment was moderately correlated with decreased ImPACT Visual Memory score ( r = –0.539) and slower ImPACT Reaction Time ( r = 0.515). Most computerized cognitive measures were not associated with FVMRT in either cohort ( P > .05). Conclusion: Decreased reaction time and working memory performance were moderately correlated with decreased sagittal plane knee motion and increased frontal plane knee loading in collegiate athletes with a history of SRC. The present findings suggest a potential unique relationship between cognitive performance and LE neuromuscular control in athletes with a history of SRC injury. Last, we determined that computerized measures of cognitive performance often utilized for SRC management are dissimilar to sport-specific cognitive processes. Clinical Relevance: Understanding the relationship between cognitive performance and LE biomechanics in athletes with prior SRC may inform future clinical management strategies. Future research should prospectively assess cognitive and biomechanical measures, along with LE injury incidence, to identify mechanisms underlying the SRC-LE injury relationship.

Neuromuscular Control Of The Lower Extremity By Female Athletes During A Step Down Task

2007 ◽  
Vol 39 (Supplement) ◽  
pp. S263
Author(s):  
Corey E. DuPont ◽  
Terese L. Chmielewski ◽  
Jeffrey Kawaguchi ◽  
Ryan L. Mizner
Keyword(s):  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Neuromuscular Control ◽  
Step Down

scholarly journals Risk Factors for Lower Extremity Overuse Injuries in Female Youth Soccer Players

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (10) ◽  
pp. 232596711773396 ◽  
Author(s):  
John W. O’Kane ◽  
Moni Neradilek ◽  
Nayak Polissar ◽  
Lori Sabado ◽  
Allan Tencer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Knee Injuries ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Overuse Injuries ◽  
Female Youth ◽  
Youth Soccer ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Soccer Team

Background: Youth soccer injuries are common and of increasing concern, with sport specialization occurring at younger ages. Limited research is available regarding overuse injuries and risk factors in young female athletes. Purpose: To identify the number and rate of overuse injuries in female soccer players (ages 12-15 years), describe the anatomic location and type of injury, and evaluate contributing risk factors. Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A total of 351 female youth soccer players, ages 12 to 15 years, from Washington State were evaluated from 2008 to 2012. Players with lower extremity overuse injuries were identified through weekly emails and were interviewed by telephone to obtain data on injury type and body region. We evaluated the association between overuse injuries and preseason risk factors, including joint hypermobility, hip and knee muscle strength, and jump biomechanics, using Poisson regression to estimate relative risk (RR) and 95% CIs. Results: The incidence rate for first-time lower extremity overuse injuries was 1.7 per 1000 athlete-exposure hours (AEH; 95% CI, 1.4-2.2), and that for repeat injuries was 3.4 per 1000 AEH (95% CI, 2.1-5.6). Knee injuries accounted for 47% of overuse injuries. Increased valgus was associated with a 3.2-fold increased risk (95% CI, 1.52-6.71) for knee injury. A 1–standard deviation (SD) increase in hamstring strength was associated with a 35% decreased risk (RR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.46-0.91) for overuse knee injuries, and a 1-SD increase in quadriceps strength was associated with a 30% decreased risk (RR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.50-0.98). A 1-SD increase in hip flexor strength was associated with a 28% decreased risk (RR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.51-1.00) for overuse knee injuries, and a 1-SD increase in external rotation strength was associated with a 35% decreased risk (RR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.46-0.91). Playing on more than 1 soccer team was associated with a 2.5-fold increased risk (95% CI, 1.08-5.35) for overuse knee injuries, and participating in other physical activities was associated with a 61% decreased risk (odds ratio, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.15-0.81). Conclusion: In this study, lower extremity overuse injuries in female youth soccer players affected primarily the knee. Lower knee separation distance, decreased lower extremity strength, and playing on more than 1 soccer team increased injury risk.

scholarly journals Lower Extremity Musculoskeletal Injury Is Associated with Increased Risk of Concussion in High School Athletes

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (7_suppl6) ◽  
pp. 2325967120S0039
Author(s):  
Adam Lutz ◽  
Charles Thigpen ◽  
R. Gil Gilliland ◽  
John Thorpe ◽  
Michael Kissenberth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
High School Athletes ◽  
Time Loss ◽  
Male Athletes ◽  
Lower Extremity Injuries ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Extremity Injuries ◽  
Combined Injuries

Objectives: Previous research indicates that concussion increases the risk of lower extremity injuries (LE) after return to sport. However, no study has examined the risk of precedent lower extremity injuries and their relationship to the development of a sport related concussion (SRC). To determine if the risk of combined injuries (LE injury-SRC) is elevated in high school athletes accounting for athlete sport and gender. Methods: 33,386 high school athletes were monitored over 4 seasons. 4223 LE injuries and 1132 concussions were reported. Injured athletes were identified by their school athletic trainer (AT) time-loss injury during a team-sponsored practice or game. ATs documented the date, mechanism, and sport of injury. Injured athletes were referred to a board-certified sports medicine physician for diagnoses and follow up care. Cumulative injury rates were calculated with 95% confidence intervals. Rate ratios were used to compare frequency of SRC after RTS following a LE injury. Comparisons were made overall cohort between those participating athletes with and without isolated and combined injuries as well as by gender. (α=0.05). Results: A cumulative incidence for athletes sustaining an isolated SRC was 2.3/100 athletes (95% CI= 2.1-2.5) and for isolated LE injury was 11.5/100 (95% CI=11.2-11.9) athletes. Athletes presenting with a LE injury had an increased risk (RR= 4.7; 95% CI = 4.2-5.2) of sustaining a subsequent SRC within 1 year when compared to athletes that did not suffer precedent LE injuries. Male athletes presenting with a LE injury had an increased risk (RR= 4.9; 95% CI = 4.2-5.7) of sustaining a subsequent SRC within 1 year when compared to male athletes that did not suffer precedent LE injuries. Female athletes presenting with a LE injury had an increased risk (RR= 4.4; 95% CI = 3.6-5.2) of sustaining a subsequent SRC within 1 year when compared to female athletes that did not suffer precedent LE injuries. In football, presenting with a LE injury had an increased risk (RR= 5.8; 95% CI = 4.5-7.4) of sustaining a subsequent SRC within 1 year when compared to football athletes that did not suffer precedent LE injuries. Conclusion: Our results are the first to show that high school athletes who suffer a time-loss LE injury are at 4.4-5.8 times increased risk to suffer a sports related concussion within the next year. Additional studies are warranted to confirm these findings.

scholarly journals Examining the Relationship between Exercise Dependence, Disordered Eating, and Low Energy Availability

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 2601
Author(s):  
Megan A. Kuikman ◽  
Margo Mountjoy ◽  
Jamie F. Burr
Keyword(s):  
Disordered Eating ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Low Energy ◽  
Exercise Dependence ◽  
Energy Availability ◽  
Recreational Athletes ◽  
Bone Stress ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Low Energy Availability

Both dietary and exercise behaviors need to be considered when examining underlying causes of low energy availability (LEA). The study assessed if exercise dependence is independently related to the risk of LEA with consideration of disordered eating and athlete calibre. Via survey response, female (n = 642) and male (n = 257) athletes were categorized by risk of: disordered eating, exercise dependence, disordered eating and exercise dependence, or if not presenting with disordered eating or exercise dependence as controls. Compared to female controls, the likelihood of being at risk of LEA was 2.5 times for female athletes with disordered eating and >5.5 times with combined disordered eating and exercise dependence. Male athletes with disordered eating, with or without exercise dependence, were more likely to report signs and symptoms compared to male controls-including suppression of morning erections (OR = 3.4; p < 0.0001), increased gas and bloating (OR = 4.0–5.2; p < 0.002) and were more likely to report a previous bone stress fracture (OR = 2.4; p = 0.01) and ≥22 missed training days due to overload injuries (OR = 5.7; p = 0.02). For both males and females, in the absence of disordered eating, athletes with exercise dependence were not at an increased risk of LEA or associated health outcomes. Compared to recreational athletes, female and male international caliber and male national calibre athletes were less likely to be classified with disordered eating.

scholarly journals Neuromuscular Control of Vertical Jumps in Female Adolescents

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 343-349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donna Moxley Scarborough ◽  
Shannon E. Linderman ◽  
Valerie A. Cohen ◽  
Eric M. Berkson ◽  
Mary M. Eckert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Neuromuscular Control ◽  
Lower Extremity Injury ◽  
Ligament Injury ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Landing Mechanics ◽  
Significant Difference

Background: Poor landing mechanics are considered deficits in neuromuscular control and risk factors for lower extremity injury. The Landing Error Scoring System (LESS) has been used to assess the neuromuscular control of landing mechanics for the first landing in a drop vertical jump (DVJ) task. However, the second DVJ landing may provide different results, warranting assessment. Hypotheses: (1) LESS scores will differ between first and second DVJ landings across all female participants with (2) greater intraparticipant variability among the second landing compared with the first landing scores. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Level of Evidence: Level 4. Methods: A total of 13 gymnasts and 31 softball players (N = 44) performed 3 DVJ trials. The mean ± SD age of 44 female athletes was 16.46 ± 2.59 years. The LESS was scored using 2-dimensional video of each trial. Results: There was a significant difference between the first and second DVJ landings ( P < 0.01). All participants demonstrated higher LESS scores (worse landing mechanics) during the second DVJ landing (10.10 ± 2.25) than the first landing (6.97 ± 2.72). Conclusion: The initial landing in a DVJ has been the focus of neuromuscular control studies using the LESS. This study found worse neuromuscular control during the second DVJ landing, which highlights the importance of evaluating landing mechanics beyond the initial landing. Clinical Relevance: LESS analysis of both DVJ landings might improve neuromuscular control screening in female athletes and augment lower extremity and anterior cruciate ligament injury prevention programs.

A comparison of several barefoot inspired footwear models in relation to barefoot and conventional running footwear

2013 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Sinclair ◽  
S.J. Hobbs ◽  
G. Currigan ◽  
P.J. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Reaction Force ◽  
Camera Motion ◽  
Motion Analysis System ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Impact Parameters ◽  
Analysis System ◽  
Rearfoot Eversion ◽  
Camera Motion Analysis

This study examined differences in kinetics and kinematics between barefoot and shod running, as well as between several barefoot inspired footwear models. Fifteen participants ran at 4.0 m/s ±5% in each footwear condition. Lower extremity kinematics in the sagittal, coronal and transverse planes were measured using an eight camera motion analysis system alongside ground reaction force parameters. Impact parameters and joint kinematics were subsequently compared using repeated measures ANOVAs. The kinetic analysis revealed that, compared to the conventional footwear, impact parameters were significantly greater in the barefoot and more minimal in barefoot inspired footwear. Running barefoot and in the minimal barefoot inspired footwear was associated with increases in flexion parameters of the knee and ankle at footstrike in relation to the conventional footwear. Finally, the results indicated that the barefoot and minimal barefoot inspired footwear were associated with greater peak eversion magnitude when compared to the conventional footwear. This study suggests that in barefoot and more minimalist barefoot inspired footwear running is associated with impact kinetics and rearfoot eversion parameters, previously linked to an increased risk of overuse injury, when compared to conventional shod running.

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