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Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy

Published in:

01-12-2015 | Knee

The association of dorsiflexion flexibility on knee kinematics and kinetics during a drop vertical jump in healthy female athletes

Authors: Philip Malloy, Alexander Morgan, Carolyn Meinerz, Christopher Geiser, Kristof Kipp

Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy | Issue 12/2015

Abstract

Purpose

While previous studies have examined the association between ankle dorsiflexion flexibility and deleterious landing postures, it is not currently known how landing kinetics are influenced by ankle dorsiflexion flexibility. The purpose of this study was to examine whether ankle dorsiflexion flexibility was associated with landing kinematics and kinetics that have been shown to increase the risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in female athletes.

Methods

Twenty-three female collegiate soccer players participated in a preseason screening that included the assessment of ankle dorsiflexion flexibility and lower-body kinematics and kinetics during a drop vertical jump task.

Results

The results demonstrated that females with less ankle dorsiflexion flexibility exhibited greater peak knee abduction moments (r = −.442), greater peak knee abduction angles (r = .355), and less peak knee flexion angles (r = .385) during landing. The range of dorsiflexion flexibility for the current study was between 9° and 23° (mean = 15.0°; SD 3.9°).

Conclusion

Dorsiflexion flexibility may serve as a useful clinical measure to predict poor landing postures and external forces that have been associated with increased knee injury risk. Rehabilitation specialists can provide interventions aimed at improving dorsiflexion flexibility in order to ameliorate the impact of this modifiable factor on deleterious landing kinematics and kinetics in female athletes.

Level of evidence

II.

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Title: The association of dorsiflexion flexibility on knee kinematics and kinetics during a drop vertical jump in healthy female athletes
Authors: Philip Malloy
Alexander Morgan
Carolyn Meinerz
Christopher Geiser
Kristof Kipp
Publication date: 01-12-2015
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy / Issue 12/2015
Print ISSN: 0942-2056
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7347
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-014-3222-z

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

The association of dorsiflexion flexibility on knee kinematics and kinetics during a drop vertical jump in healthy female athletes

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Level of evidence

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Level of evidence

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