Skip to main content

Biomechanical Factors Associated with Injury During Landing in Jump Sports

Sports Medicine volume 12, pages 326–337 (1991)Cite this article

Summary

Many sport and movement activities contain a jumping component which necessitates landing. Several injury surveys across a variety of jump sports have identified the lower extremities and specifically the knee joint as being a primary injury site. Factors which might contribute to the frequency and severity of such injuries include stresses to which the body is subjected during performance (forces and torques), body position at landing, performance execution and landing surface. Most of the initial landing studies were primarily descriptive in nature with many of the more recent efforts being directed toward identifying the specific performance factors that could account for the observed system stresses. Continued investigations into landing are necessary to more thoroughly understand the force attenuation mechanisms and critical performance variables associated with lower extremity injuries.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

49,54 €

Price includes VAT (Finland)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

References

  • Adrian MJ, Laughlin CK. Magnitude of ground reaction forces while performing volleyball skills. In Matsui & Kobayashi (Eds) Biomechanics VIII-B, pp. 903–914, Human Kinetics, Champaign, 1983.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baker BE. Prevention of ligament injuries to the knee. In Pandolf & Holloszy (Eds) Exercise and sport science reviews, pp. 291–305, Williams and Wilkens, Baltimore, 1990.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bates BT, Caster BL. The effect of added load on landing strategies. In Gregor et al. (Eds) Proceedings of the XIIth International Congress of Biomechanics, Los Angeles. Abstract 58, 1989.

  • Bates BT, Osternig LR, Sawhill JA, James SL. An assessment of subject variability, subject-shoe interaction, and the evaluation of running shoes using ground reaction force data. Journal of Biomechanics 16(3): 181–191, 1983.

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Caster BL. The evaluation of strategies used to accommodate additional loads during landing. Unpublished master’s thesis, University of Oregon, 1989.

  • Cavanagh PR, Lafortune MA. Ground reaction forces in distance running. Journal of Biomechanics 13: 397–406, 1980.

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • DeVita P, Skelly WA. Biomechanics of landing from a vertical jump. Proceedings of 13th Annual American Society of Biomechanics, pp. 186–187, Burlington, VT, August 23–25, 1989.

  • Dufek JS. The effects of landing on lower extremity function. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Oregon, 1988.

  • Dufek JS, Bates BT. Models incorporating height, distance and landing technique to predict impact forces. Abstract 15, In Gregor et al. (Eds) Proceedings of the XIIth International Congress of Biomechanics, Los Angeles. 1989.

  • Dufek JS, Bates BT. The evaluation and prediction of impact forces during landing. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 22(3): 370–377, 1990a.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dufek JS, Bates BT. Regression models for predicting impact forces and knee joint moments and powers during landing. Proceedings of 6th Biennial Conference of the Canadian Society for Biomechanis, Canada, pp. 55–56, August 16–19, 1990.

  • Dufek JS, Bates BT. The relationship between maximum ground reaction forces and lower extremity extensor joint moments during landing. Proceedings of 14th Annual American Society of Biomechanics, pp. 205–206, Miami, November 14–16, 1990.

  • Dufek JS, Bates BT. Dynamic assessment of selected sport shoes on impact forces. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, in press, 1991.

  • Dufek JS, Schot PK, Bates BT. Lower extremity moments of force during landings. Abstract. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 22(2) [Suppl.]: S17, 1990.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fukoda H. Biomechanical analysis of landing surfaces with different stiffnesses. In de Groot et al. (Eds) Biomechanics XI-B, pp. 679–684, Free University Press, Amsterdam, 1988.

  • Gerberich SG, Luhmann S, Finke C, Priest JD, Beard BJ. Analysis of severe injuries associated with volleyball activities. Physician and Sportsmedicine 15(8): 75–79, 1987.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gray J, Taunton JE, McKenzie DC, Clement DB, McConkey JP, et al. A survey of injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee in female basketball players International Journal of Sports Medicine 6: 314–316, 1985.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Henry JH, Lareau B, Neigut D. The injury rate in professional basketball. American Journal of Sports Medicine 10(1): 16–18, 1982.

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • James SL, Bates BT, Osternig LR. Injuries to runners. American Journal of Sports Medicine 6(2): 40–49, 1978.

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • James SL, Jones DC. Biomechanical aspects of distance running injuries. In Cavanagh (Ed.) Biomechanics of distance running, pp. 249–269, Human Kinetics, Champaign, 1990.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaelin X, Stacoff A, Denoth J, Stuessi E. Shock absorption during landing after a jump. In de Groot et al. (Eds) Biomechanics XI-B, pp. 685–688, Free University Press, Amsterdam, 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lafortune M. Jumping mechanics and jumper’s knee. Sports Science and Medicine Quarterly 2(1): 2–4, 1985.

    Google Scholar 

  • McKeag DB, Dolan C. Overuse syndromes of the lower extremity. Physician and Sportsmedicine 17(7): 108–123, 1989.

    Google Scholar 

  • McKenzie DC, Clement DB, Taunton JD. Running shoes, orthotics and injuries. Sports Medicine 2: 334–337, 1985.

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McMahon TA, Greene PR. The influence of track compliance on running. Journal of Biomechanics 12: 893–904, 1979.

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McNitt-Gray JL. Landing strategy adjustments to impact speed. Abstract. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 21(2) [Suppl.]: S89, 1989a.

    Google Scholar 

  • McNitt-Gray JL. The influence of impact speed on joint kinematics and impulse characteristics of drop landings. Abstract 159, In Gregor et al. (Eds) Proceedings of the XIIth International Congress of Biomechanics, Los Angeles. 1989b.

    Google Scholar 

  • McNitt-Gray JL. Kinematic and kinetic analyses of drop landings. Abstract. ISB Newsletter 38, 1990.

  • McNitt-Gray JL, Anderson DD, Barbieri CA, Cvengros KW. Adjustments in kinematics and kinetics during modified landings. Proceedings of 14th Annual American Society of Biomechanics, pp. 75–76, Miami, FL, November 14–16, 1990.

  • McNitt-Gray JL, Yokoi T. The influence of surface characteristics on the impulse characteristics of drop landings. Proceedings of 13th Annual American Society of Biomechanics, pp. 92–93, Burlington, VT, August 23–25, 1989.

  • Melvill Jones G, Watt DG. Muscular control of landing from unexpected falls in man. Journal of Physiology 219: 729–737, 1971.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller DI. Ground reaction forces in distance running. In Cavanagh (Ed.) Biomechanics of distance running, pp. 203–224, Human Kinetics, Champaign, 1990.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mizrahi J, Susak Z. Analysis of parameters affecting impact force attenuation during landing in human vertical free fall. Engineering in Medicine 11(3): 141–147, 1982.

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mutoh Y, Sawai S, Takanashi Y, Skurko L. Aerobic dance injuries among instructors and students. Physician and Sportsmedicine 16(12): 81–88, 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nigg BM, Bobbert M. On the potential of various approaches in load analysis to reduce the frequency of sports injuries. Journal of Biomechanics 23(Suppl. 1): 3–12, 1990.

    PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nigg BM, Bahlsen HA, Luethi SM, Stokes S. The influence of running velocity and midsole hardness on external running forces in heel-toe running. Journal of Biomechanics 20: 951–959, 1987.

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nigg BM, Denoth J, Neukomm PA. Quantifying the load on the human body: problems and some possible solutions. In Morecki et al. (Eds) Biomechanics VII-B, pp. 88–99, University Park Press, Baltimore, 1981.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nigg BM, Yeadon MR, Herzog W. The influence of construction strategies of sprung surfaces on deformation during vertical jumps. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 20(4): 396–402, 1988.

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Panzer VP. Dynamic assessment of lower extremity load characteristics during landing. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Oregon, 1987.

  • Panzer VP, Wood GA, Bates BT, Mason BR. Lower extremity loads in landings of elite gymnasts. In de Groot et al. (Eds) Biomechanics XI-B, pp. 727–735, Free University Press, Amsterdam, 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ramey MR, Williams KR. Ground reaction force in the triple jump. International Journal of Sport Biomechanics 1(3): 233–239, 1985.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ricard MD, Veatch S. Comparison of impact forces in high and low impact aerobic dance movements. International Journal of Sport Biomechanics 6: 67–77, 1990.

    Google Scholar 

  • Richie DH, Kelso SF, Bellucci PA. Aerobic dance injuries: a retrospective study of instructors and participants. Physician and Sportsmedicine 13(2): 130–140, 1985.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schot PK. Analysis of bilateral symmetry of lower extremity function during landing. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Oregon, 1991.

  • Schot PK, Bates BT. Evaluation of bilateral function symmetry during bipedal landings. Proceedings of 6th Biennial Conference of the Canadian Society for Biomechanics, pp. 135–136, Quebec, August 16–19, 1990.

  • Skelly WA, DeVita P. Compressive and shear forces on the tibia and knee during landing. Proceedings of 6th Biennial Conference of the Canadian Society for Biomechanics, pp. 59–60, Quebec, August 16–19, 1990.

  • Smith AJ. Estimates of muscle and joint forces at the knee and ankle during a jumping activity. Journal of Human Movement Studies 1: 78–86, 1975.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith LD. Hip fractures. The role of muscle contraction or intrinsic forces in the causation of fractures of the femoral neck. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery 5A: 367–383, 1953.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stacoff A, Kaelin X, Stuessi E. Impact in landing after a volleyball block. In de Groot et al. (Eds) Biomechanics XI-B, pp. 694–700, Free University Press, Amsterdam, 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steele JR, Milburn PD. Ground reaction forces on landing in netball. Journal of Human Movement Studies 13: 399–410, 1987.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tant CL, Wilkerson JD, Browder KD. Technique comparisons between hard and soft landings of young female gymnasts. Abstract 118, In Gregor et al. (Eds) Proceedings of the XIIth International Congress of Biomechanics, Los Angeles, 1989.

    Google Scholar 

  • Valiant GA, Cavanagh PR. A study of landing from a jump: implications for the design of a basketball shoe. In Winter et al. (Eds) Biomechanics IX-B, pp. 117–122, Human Kinetics, Champaign, 1985.

    Google Scholar 

  • Viano DC, King AI, Melvin JW, Weber K. Injury-biomechanics research: an essential element in the prevention of trauma. Journal of Biomechanics 22(5): 403–417, 1989.

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Winter DA. Moments of force and mechanical power in jogging. Journal of Biomechanics 16(1): 91–97, 1983.

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Winter DA. Kinematic and kinetic patterns in human gait: variability and compensating effects. Human Movement Science 3: 51–76, 1984.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zelisko JA, Noble HB, Porter M. A comparison of men’s and women’s professional basketball injuries. American Journal of Sports Medicine 10(5): 297–299, 1982.

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Affiliations

  1. Department of Exercise and Movement Science, Biomechanics/Sports Medicine Laboratory, Esslinger Hall, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, 97403, USA

    Janet S. Dufek & Barry T. Bates

Authors
  1. Janet S. Dufek
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Barry T. Bates
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Dufek, J.S., Bates, B.T. Biomechanical Factors Associated with Injury During Landing in Jump Sports. Sports Medicine 12, 326–337 (1991). https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-199112050-00005

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-199112050-00005

Keywords

  • Impact Force
  • Ground Reaction Force
  • Joint Moment
  • Knee Joint Angle
  • Recreational Athlete