Kinematic and Kinetic Analysis of Frontal Plane Gender Differences in Landing Patterns of Recreational Athletes

Abstract

1576 Previous analyses of sagittal plane landing mechanics have shown females, compared to males, execute these activities in a more erect posture potentially predisposing the ACL to greater loads. Fewer reports of frontal plane motion of the lower extremities have been conducted and may be more relevant in determining gender differences and predisposition to ACL injury. Purpose: to determine gender differences in lower extremity joint kinematics and kinetics between age and skill matched recreational athletes. Methods: Inverse dynamic solutions estimated the 3D kinematics and kinetics for 15 females and 15 males performing a 60-cm drop landing. Data were processed from contact with the force platform to maximum knee flexion. A series of mixed model repeated measures analysis of variance (gender and joint) were performed on kinematic and kinetic variables. Results: Peak hip and knee flexion and ankle dorsiflexion were greater in females in the sagittal plane (Group effect, p<0.05). Females exhibited greater frontal plane motion (group * joint, p<0.05). Differences were attributed to greater knee valgus and maximum foot pronation (Post hoc tests, p < 0.05). Females exhibited a greater range of motion (ROM) in the sagittal plane (group main effect, p<0.05) and the frontal plane (group * joint, p < 0.05). Differences were attributed to the greater knee valgus ROM and foot pronation ROM (Post hoc tests, p < 0.05). Ground reaction forces were different between groups (Group * direction, p < 0.05). Females exhibited less peak vertical force but greater braking force than males (Post hoc tests, p 0.05). Females exhibited a greater hip adduction, knee valgus and ankle pronation moment (Group main effect, p < 0.05). Females also exhibited differences in hip abduction, knee varus and ankle supination moment (Group * joint interaction, p < 0.05). These differences were attributed to reduced knee varus moment in females (Post hoc tests, p < 0.05). Conclusion: Differences in frontal plane kinematic and kinetic variables seem consistent with reported injury mechanisms in female athletes.