Kinematics study on PLF technique by comparing professional and amateur Malaysian army parachutists based on event during landing

Abstract

The paper discusses the difference of kinematics data for Parachute Landing Fall (PLF) technique on sagittal plane based on skill and experienced by comparing data between professional and amateur paratroopers during landing. Two events were accounted for this paper which is the “release the iron swing” and “before foot touch the ground”. Data were obtained by observing three professional and eighteen amateur paratroopers during three consecutive landings using motion caption analysis by Quintic Biomechanics Software. Professionals parachutists demonstrated a greater angle of body bending during landing and utilized smaller values of acceleration, velocity and angle joints during PLF technique for wrist, elbow, shoulder, hip, knee and ankle joints compared to amateur parachutists. The values of velocity, acceleration and angle in each joint from professionals can be used as a main reference for amateurs to perform parachuting training and reduce injuries.