Sex Disparity in Bilateral Asymmetry of Impact Forces during Height-Adjusted Drop Jumps

Chin-Yi Gu, Xiang-Rui Li, Chien-Ting Lai, Jin-Jiang Gao, I-Lin Wang and Li-I Wang
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Chin-Yi Gu: Department of Education and Human Potentials Development, National Dong Hwa University, No. 1, Sec. 2, Da Hsueh Rd., Shoufeng, Hualien 97401, Taiwan
Xiang-Rui Li: Department of Physical Education and Kinesiology, National Dong Hwa University, No. 1, Sec. 2, Da Hsueh Rd., Shoufeng, Hualien 97401, Taiwan
Chien-Ting Lai: Department of Physical Education and Kinesiology, National Dong Hwa University, No. 1, Sec. 2, Da Hsueh Rd., Shoufeng, Hualien 97401, Taiwan
Jin-Jiang Gao: Department of Physical Education and Kinesiology, National Dong Hwa University, No. 1, Sec. 2, Da Hsueh Rd., Shoufeng, Hualien 97401, Taiwan
I-Lin Wang: College of Physical Education, Hubei Normal University, Huangshi 435002, China
Li-I Wang: Department of Physical Education and Kinesiology, National Dong Hwa University, No. 1, Sec. 2, Da Hsueh Rd., Shoufeng, Hualien 97401, Taiwan

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 11, 1-10

Abstract: Side-to-side asymmetry of lower extremities may influence the risk of injury associated with drop jump. Moreover, drop heights using relative height across individuals based on respective jumping abilities could better explain lower-extremity loading impact for different genders. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the sex differences of impact forces and asymmetry during the landing phase of drop-jump tasks using drop heights, set according to participants’ maximum jumping height. Ten male and ten female athletes performed drop-jump tasks on two force plates, and ground reaction force data were collected. Both feet needed to land entirely on the dedicated force plates as simultaneously as possible. Ground reaction forces and asymmetry between legs were calculated for jumps from 100%, 130%, and 160% of each participant’s maximum jumping height. Females landed with greater asymmetry at time of contact initiation and time of peak impact force and had more asymmetrical peak impact force than males. Greater values and shorter time after ground contact of peak impact force were found when the drop height increased to 160% of maximum jumping ability as compared to 100% and 130%. Females exhibited greater asymmetry than males during drop jumps from relative heights, which may relate to the higher risk of anterior cruciate ligament injury among females. Greater sex disparity was evident in impact force asymmetry than in the magnitude of peak impact force; therefore, it may be a more appropriate field-screening test for risk of anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Keywords: anterior cruciate ligament; ground reaction force; knee injuries; leg dominance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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