Biomechanical Symmetry during Drop Jump Landing and Takeoff in Adolescent Athletes Following Recent Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Abstract

This study investigated asymmetry between lower extremities during the landing and takeoff phases of a vertical drop jump (VDJ) in adolescent athletes following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) and examined if performance was affected by reducing jump height. Thirty-three athletes who underwent ACLR and were referred for 3D biomechanical assessment before returning to play (mean age 15.9, SD 1.3 years; 16/33 female; mean time since surgery 7.4, SD 1.2 months) completed the VDJ while kinematics and kinetics were collected using motion capture. Lower extremity symmetry was compared between phases using paired t-tests. Jump height was calculated to measure performance. Asymmetries in ankle inversion, ankle adduction, knee adduction, hip adduction, hip adduction moment, and hip rotation moment were observed in both phases. Asymmetry was also observed in both phases for sagittal moments and power integrals at the knee and ankle and total power integral, with the magnitude of asymmetry being smaller during takeoff for power absorption/generation. Jump height was related to power generation integrals during takeoff but not to the asymmetry of power generation. Since asymmetries are translated from landing through takeoff, rehabilitation should address both phases to decrease injury risk and maximize performance after return to play.