Abstract
PurposeTo examine differences between men and women football players in clinically feasible jumping measures.MethodsFemale football players (N = 46, ages 16–25) were matched based on age, training frequency, and playing position with 46 male players. All players performed the tuck jump and drop vertical jump (DVJ). DVJ was assessed quantitatively for valgus knee motion and probability of a high peak knee abduction moment (pKAM), as well as sagittal plane hip, knee, and ankle angles, and qualitatively with visual assessment of the player’s knees upon landing; graded as good, reduced, or poor control.ResultWomen had higher total tuck jump scores (5 ± 2) (more technique flaws), than men (3 ± 2, P < 0.01). The quantitative analysis of the DVJ found that men had greater asymmetries between limbs, but women landed bilaterally in more knee valgus (interaction P = 0.04, main effect of sex P = 0.02). There was no difference in pKAM (interaction n.s.). Women also landed in less hip flexion (P = 0.01) and ankle dorsiflexion (P = 0.01) than men. The qualitative DVJ analysis found that more women (48%) had poor knee control compared to men (11%, P < 0.01).ConclusionsThe results indicate that women perform worse on the tuck jump assessment than men. The results support previous findings that women land in more knee valgus than men, but also found that men may have larger asymmetries in knee valgus. These results from clinically feasible measures provide some suggestions for clinicians to consider during ACL reconstruction rehabilitation to enhance performance.
Highlights
Differences in knee injury incidence, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury incidence, exist between men and women football players [33]
The results of this study provide some insight into sex differences in jumping performance that could be related to ACL injury risk [9], and using clinically feasible measures provide some suggestions for clinicians to consider during ACL reconstruction rehabilitation
This study found differences between men and women in tuck jump score and knee valgus motion during drop vertical jump (DVJ)
Summary
Differences in knee injury incidence, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury incidence, exist between men and women football players [33]. Women football players are at a 2–3 times higher risk for an ACL injury compared to their male counterparts [27, 35, 36], with the risk for women collegiate football players in the United States being almost four times higher [33] It is unclear if there are differences in second ACL injury incidence based on sex [37], there may be differences in recovery of knee function after ACL reconstruction. One year after ACL reconstruction women have shown larger quadriceps strength asymmetries [12], as well as lower self-reported knee function than men [14]. Asymmetries or differences between legs in movement patterns, knee abduction, have been implicated in second ACL injury risk [26]
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