TY - JOUR
T1 - Lower-extremity kinematics and kinetics differ based on drop vertical jump variation
T2 - An assessment of methodology for a return-to-play protocol using motion analysis
AU - Ulman, Sophia
AU - Loewen, Alex M.
AU - Erdman, Ashley L.
AU - Õunpuu, Sylvia
AU - Chafetz, Ross
AU - Tulchin-Francis, Kirsten
AU - Wren, Tishya A.L.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 Elsevier B.V.
PY - 2024/2
Y1 - 2024/2
N2 - Background: The drop vertical jump (DVJ) is commonly used in return-to-play evaluations to assess movement quality and risk during a dynamic task. However, across biomechanics literature, a multitude of DVJ variations have been used, influencing the generalizability and potential interpretation of the reported findings. Research question: The purpose of this study was to identify differences in lower extremity kinematics and kinetics between DVJ variations that differ based on horizontal jump distance, verbal instructions, and the use of a jump target. Methods: A single-group repeated measures design was used in a laboratory setting. Twenty participants were tested, and three-dimensional angles and moments of the pelvis, hip, knee, and ankle were computed. Wilcoxon signed rank tests were performed to determine differences between DVJ variations. Results: Reduced knee flexion at initial contact and greater knee extensor moments across the descent phase were observed with increased horizontal jump distance. Additionally, both verbal instructions and a jump target influenced movement strategies at the pelvis, hip, and knee. Ground reaction forces were found to be similar across conditions and jump height following the first landing increased with a target. Significance: Although subtle, the biomechanical differences observed between task variations emphasize the importance of standardizing motion analysis protocols for research and clinical decision-making. Given the findings of the current study, the authors recommend using the Half Height variation in patients treated for a knee injury as it will likely be the most indicative of movement quality.
AB - Background: The drop vertical jump (DVJ) is commonly used in return-to-play evaluations to assess movement quality and risk during a dynamic task. However, across biomechanics literature, a multitude of DVJ variations have been used, influencing the generalizability and potential interpretation of the reported findings. Research question: The purpose of this study was to identify differences in lower extremity kinematics and kinetics between DVJ variations that differ based on horizontal jump distance, verbal instructions, and the use of a jump target. Methods: A single-group repeated measures design was used in a laboratory setting. Twenty participants were tested, and three-dimensional angles and moments of the pelvis, hip, knee, and ankle were computed. Wilcoxon signed rank tests were performed to determine differences between DVJ variations. Results: Reduced knee flexion at initial contact and greater knee extensor moments across the descent phase were observed with increased horizontal jump distance. Additionally, both verbal instructions and a jump target influenced movement strategies at the pelvis, hip, and knee. Ground reaction forces were found to be similar across conditions and jump height following the first landing increased with a target. Significance: Although subtle, the biomechanical differences observed between task variations emphasize the importance of standardizing motion analysis protocols for research and clinical decision-making. Given the findings of the current study, the authors recommend using the Half Height variation in patients treated for a knee injury as it will likely be the most indicative of movement quality.
KW - Biomechanics
KW - Knee
KW - Motion capture
KW - Return-to-sport
KW - Sports
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U2 - 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2023.11.021
DO - 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2023.11.021
M3 - Article
C2 - 38042067
AN - SCOPUS:85179073039
SN - 0966-6362
VL - 108
SP - 132
EP - 138
JO - Gait and Posture
JF - Gait and Posture
ER -