Single-leg medial drop landing with trunk lean includes improper body mechanics related to anterior cruciate ligament injury risk: A comparison of body mechanics between successful trials and failed trials in the drop landing test among female basketball athletes

Abstract

Improper body mechanics during landing is a typical risk factor of anterior cruciate ligament injury. Drop landing test is used to evaluate landing mechanics by observing not only successful trials but also failed trials. Leaning of the trunk, which is frequently observed during failed trials, may lead to improper body mechanics related to anterior cruciate ligament injury. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanisms of landing with trunk lean that may underlie the risks of anterior cruciate ligament injury by comparing body mechanics between failed and successful trials. Participants were 72 female basketball athletes. The athletic task was single-leg medial drop landing, and the body mechanics was recorded by a motion capture system and force plate. Participants fixed the landing pose for ≥3s in successful trials but failed to do so in failed trials. Failed trials included the large lean of trunk. There were significant changes in thoracic and pelvic leans at initial contact in failed trials with medial trunk lean (p<0.05). Kinematics and kinetics during the landing phase in failed trials were associated with the risks of anterior cruciate ligament injury. These findings suggest that landing mechanics with trunk lean involves many biomechanical factors related to anterior cruciate ligament injury and demonstrates the inappropriate pose of trunk from the dropping phase. Exercise programs aimed at the landing manoeuver without trunk lean may contribute to reduce the risks of anterior cruciate ligament injury in female basketball athletes.