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Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury frequently occurs in female soccer
athletes during deceleration movements such as landings. In soccer, landings mostly occur
following jumping headers. Little research has been done to determine the mechanics that follow
and how they compare to standard drop vertical jumps (DVJ). The purpose of this study was to
analyze differences between jumps and landings in kinematics, kinetics, and muscle activation
patterns in female soccer athletes to better assess the sport-specific risk for ACL injury. It was
hypothesized that more biomechanical tendencies associated with ACL risk factors would
emerge from soccer-specific vertical jumps (SSVJ) compared to DVJs and second landings (L2)
compared to first landings (L1).
Methods: 8 female participants (20.88 ± 1.17 years; 1.68 ± 0.06 m; 58.77 ± 7.65 kg) performed
DVJs and SSVJs. Motion capture, force, and electromyography (EMG) data were collected to
calculate joint motion, loading, and muscle activation throughout landing phases. Data were
analyzed using RM-ANOVA, collapsed across jump (DVJ vs. SSVJ) and landing (L1 vs. L2).
Results: Significant findings were revealed in all categories, however, kinematic variables were
the most profound results. Significantly higher jump height was achieved in DVJs (p=0.008).
SSVJs and L2s produced less peak hip (p=0.03; d=0.817) (p=0.007; d=1.566) and knee
2
(p=0.002; d=0.732) (p=0.002; d=1.476) flexion during landing, respectively. A significant
interaction was present for trunk flexion at initial contact (p=0.034). Follow-up tests revealed no
significant differences following headers.
Discussion: SSVJ-L2s displayed a more erect landing at the hip and knee, a known ACL risk
factor, however, it is unclear whether these results are due to trunk movement during heading.
Limited results in kinetic and EMG variables may be explained by the difference in jump height
achieved, therefore further investigation in a more elite population is required. Additionally,
SSVJs may be a good sport-specific screening tool. |
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