Differences in lower extremity joint coordination during two landing phases of a drop jump task

Abstract

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to compare the differences in joint coordination patterns and variability of the lower extremity between the first and second landing phases during drop jump task.DesignCross-sectional study.MethodsModified vector coding technique and circular statistics was used to determine the coordination pattern and variability of the following joint couples during the first and second landings: hip frontal-knee frontal (HfKf), hip sagittal-knee frontal (HsKf), hip sagittal-knee sagittal (HsKs), knee frontal-ankle frontal (KfAf), knee sagittal-ankle frontal (KsAf), and knee sagittal-ankle sagittal (KsAs).ResultsThe second landing phase exhibited a reduction in the in-phase coordination proportion of HsKs, KfAf, and KsAs, while demonstrating an increase in the proportion of proximal knee joint coordination for KfAf and KsAs (P<0.05). The second landing phase demonstrated increased coordination variability for HsKs, KfAf, KsAf.ConclusionThe execution of the drop jump leads to changes in joint coordination patterns during the second landing phase, resulting in increased variability compared to the first landing phase, thereby elevating the risk of knee and ankle injuries.