Lateral Trunk Research Articles

Common and specific gait patterns in people with varying anatomical levels of lower limb amputation and different prosthetic components

The present study’s aim was to identify the kinematic and kinetic gait patterns and to measure the energy consumption in people with amputation according to both the anatomical level of amputation and the type of prosthetic components in comparison with a control group matched for the gait speed. Fifteen subjects with unilateral transtibial amputation (TTA), forty with unilateral transfemoral amputation (TFA) (9 with mechanical, 17 with CLeg and 14 with Genium prosthesis) and forty healthy subjects were recruited. We computed the time-distance gait parameters; the range of angular motion (RoM) at hip, knee and ankle joints, and at the trunk and pelvis; the values of the 2 peaks of vertical force curve; the full width at half maximum (FWHM) and center of activity (CoA) of vertical force; the mechanical behavior in terms of energy recovery (R-step) and energy consumption. The main results were: i) both TTA and TFA show a common gait pattern characterized by a symmetric increase of step length, step width, double support duration, pelvic obliquity, trunk lateral bending and trunk rotation RoMs compared to control groups. They show also an asymmetric increase of stance duration and of Peak1 in non-amputated side and a decrease of ankle RoM in amputated side; ii) only TFA show a specific gait pattern, depending on the level of amputation, characterized by a symmetric reduction of R-step and an asymmetric decrease of stance duration, CoA and FWHM and an increase of Peak1 in the amputated side and of hip and knee RoM, CoA and FWHM in the non-amputated side; iii) people with amputation with Genium prosthesis show a longer step length and increased hip and knee RoMs compared to people with amputation with mechanical prosthesis who conversely show an increased pelvic obliquity: these are specific gait patterns depending of the type of prosthesis. In conclusion, we identified both common and specific gait patterns in people with amputation, either regardless of, or according to their level of amputation and the type of prosthetic component.

Linear and nonlinear measures of gait variability after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

The objective of this study was to assess gait variability after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), as an indicative of possible altered gait pattern and a measure of recovery compared to control subjects. Forty subjects (32 male), divided into 4 groups of 10 participants, were enrolled in the study: a control group (CG), and observational groups OG-I (90 days), OG-II (180 days), and OG-III (360 days) after ACLR. All subjects underwent the same rehabilitation program for six months. For kinematic recording, each subject walked on a treadmill for 4 min at a preferred walking speed. Linear gait variability was assessed using average standard deviation (VAR) and normalized root mean square of medial–lateral (ML) trunk acceleration (RMSratio). Gait stability was assessed using the margin of stability (MoS) and local dynamic stability (LDS), and nonlinear variability was assessed using sample entropy (SEn). Compared to the CG, the VAR ML increased significantly in the OG-I group and decreased incrementally in OG-II and OG-III. MoS increased significantly in the OG-I group and tends to maintain in OG-II and OG-III, while LDS was greater in the CG and decreased incrementally in the OG groups. The SEn was higher in the OG groups than in the CG and increased in OG-II and OG-III. The results indicated that ACL reconstruction was followed by a progressive increase in stability and a progressive increase in variability over the postoperative rehabilitation period. In terms of stability and gait variability, six months of physiotherapy for rehabilitation after ACL reconstruction appears to be effective, but it is insufficient for a complete recovery as compared to healthy individuals.

Proximal gait adaptations in individuals with knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Clarifying proximal gait adaptations as a strategy to reduce knee joint loading and pain for individuals with knee osteoarthritis (OA) contributes to understanding the pathogenesis of multi-articular OA changes and musculoskeletal pain in other joints. We aimed to determine whether biomechanical alterations in knee OA patients during level walking is increased upper trunk lean in the frontal and sagittal planes, and subsequent alteration in external hip adduction moment (EHAM) and external hip flexion moment (EHFM). A literature search was conducted in PubMed, PEDro, CINAHL, and Cochrane CENTRAL through May 2018. Where possible, data were combined into a meta-analysis; pooled standardized mean differences (SMD) of between knee OA patients and healthy adults were calculated using a random-effect model. In total, 32 articles (2037 participants, mean age, 63.0 years) met inclusion criteria. Individuals with knee OA had significantly increased lateral trunk lean toward the ipsilateral limb (pooled SMD: 1.18; 95% CI: 0.59, 1.77) along with significantly decreased EHAM. These subjects also displayed a non-significantly increased trunk/pelvic flexion angle and EHFM. The GRADE approach judged all measures as “very low.” These results may indicate that biomechanical alterations accompanying knee OA are associated with increased lateral trunk lean and ensuing alterations in EHAM. Biomechanical alterations in the sagittal plane were not evident. Biomechanical adaptations might have negative sequelae, such as secondary hip abductor muscle weakness and low back pain. Thus, investigations of negative sequelae due to proximal gait adaptations are warranted.

Postural stability during gait for adults with hereditary spastic paraparesis

Individuals with hereditary spastic paraparesis (HSP) are often impaired in their ability to control posture as a result of the neurological and musculoskeletal implications of their condition. This research aimed to assess postural stability during gait in a group of adults with HSP. Ten individuals with HSP and 10 healthy controls underwent computerized gait analysis while walking barefoot along a 10-m track. Two biomechanics methods were used to assess stability: the center of pressure and center of mass separation (COP-COM) method, and the extrapolated center of mass (XCOM) method. Spatiotemporal and kinematic variables were also investigated. The XCOM method identified deficits in mediolateral stability for the HSP group at both heel strike and mid-stance. The group with HSP also had slower walking velocity, lower cadence, more time spent in double stance, larger step widths, and greater lateral trunk flexion than the control group. These results suggest that individuals with HSP adjust characteristics of their gait to minimize the instability arising from their impairments but have residual deficits in mediolateral stability. This may result in an increased risk of falls, particularly in the sideways direction.

Upright standing after stroke: How loading-unloading mechanism participates to the postural stabilization

Postural strategies employed by hemiparetic stroke patients need to be better understood to guide rehabilitation. Of the two complementary mechanisms used to stabilize the standing posture, loading-unloading (LU) and pressure distribution (PD), it is hypothesized that the former would be predominantly used. To this aim, posturographic assessments, through a dual force-platform, were performed in 30 Hemiparetics tested 3 months after a unilateral stroke, and 30 matched healthy Controls. Original indices (from 0 to 1) were calculated to assess LU and PD contributions. The results show that along the mediolateral axis, the LU contribution was very high and similar in Hemiparetics and in Controls (0.80 ± 0.07 vs 0.76 ± 0.09 a.u; p > 0.05), indicating a predominant hip involvement. Along the anteroposterior axis, the PD contribution was very close to 1 in controls (0.96 ± 0.03 a.u.) indicating an exclusive ankle involvement. Despite a lower contribution in Hemiparetics (0.88 ± 0.11 a.u.; p < 0.01), the indices were surprisingly always above 0.5, meaning that ankle movements remain predominant for controlling postural sways along the anteroposterior axis in all patients even those with severe clinical deficits. However the PD contribution appeared larger in patients with light or moderate deficits of the sensitivity (r = −0.532; p < 0.01) or the motor command (r = −0.513; p < 0.01). These results indicate that postural stabilization of hemiparetic persons remains controlled by a PD mechanism along the anteroposterior axis, even in those combining poor distal motor command and deep sensory loss. This ankle control, piloted by the more-loaded non-paretic limb, would therefore be preferred to a hip control through lateral trunk motion. This should be considered when defining the objectives of the postural rehabilitation after stroke.

Effects of exoskeleton use on movement kinematics during performance of common work tasks: A case study.

An exoskeleton may assist performance of basic work-related tasks. Its application should not alter user kinematics, which compromise user safety. This case study was used to assess whether people wearing a lower-body K-SRDTM exoskeleton could complete common work tasks without altering kinematics that may increase injury risk. Three males performed three tasks: kneeling and standing (kneel), lifting and lowering a weighted box floor-to-waist (lift), and stair-climbing with a weighted box (climb), all repeated with and without exoskeleton use (EXO, NONE). Kinematics with EXO often mimicked NONE. Hip and knee flexion with EXO often exceeded NONE without increasing heart rate for kneel. During lift with EXO, participants avoided greater lateral trunk flexion associated with injuries and used the preferred semi-squat technique. Participants produced more foot clearance with EXO than NONE during climb. Other outcomes of heart rate, perceived exertion, fatigue, and usability were mixed. EXO augmentation does not need to alter movement kinematics during performances of kneel, lift, and climb tasks. EXO kinematic alterations did not appear to compromise user safety in terms of lateral trunk bending. It may encourage good technique, such as greater foot clearance to avoid tripping, for some tasks, and changes in lifting strategies to avoid extreme flexion and protect passive tissues.

Interstitial granulomatous drug reaction related to hydrochlorothiazide

Interstitial granulomatous drug reaction is a rare condition presenting as erythematous-to-violaceous plaques on the lateral trunk, axillae, buttocks, and thighs. Calcium-channel blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, beta-blockers, and statins have been described as drugs that can trigger interstitial granulomatous drug reaction. We present a case of interstitial granulomatous drug reaction related to hydrochlorothiazide and our approach to management of this condition. The diagnosis was confirmed with a skin biopsy and a rechallenge of hydrochlorothiazide, which exacerbated the patient's symptoms. The patient improved significantly with rigorous photoprotection, combination dapsone-alitretinoin therapy, and discontinuation of hydrochlorothiazide.

Morphological and molecular description of Rhadinorhynchus laterospinosus Amin, Heckmann & Ha, 2011 (Acanthocephala, Rhadinorhynchidae) from marine fish off the Pacific coast of Vietnam.

Rhadinorhynchus laterospinosus Amin, Heckmann & Ha, 2011 (Rhadinorhynchidae) was described from a single female collected from a trigger fish, Balistes sp. (Balistidae) from the northern Pacific coast of Vietnam in Halong Bay, Gulf of Tonkin. More recent collections of fishes in 2016 and 2017 revealed wider host and geographical distributions. We report this Acanthocephala from nine species of fish representing six families (including the original record from Balistes sp.) along the whole Pacific coast of Vietnam. The fish species are Alectis ciliaris (Carangidae), Auxis rochei (Scombridae), Auxis thazard (Scombridae), Leiognathus equulus (Leiognathidae), Lutjanus bitaeniatus (Lutjanidae), Megalaspis cordyla (Carangidae), Nuchequula flavaxilla (Leiognathidae), and Tylosurus sp. (Belonidae). We provide a complete description of males and females of R. laterospinosus, discuss its hook metal microanalysis using EDAX, and its micropores. Specimens of this species characteristically have lateral trunk spines bridging the anterior ring of spines with posterior field of ventral spines and a proboscis with 15–19 longitudinal alternating rows of 21–26 hooks each varying with host species. We demonstrate the effect of host species on the distribution and size of the trunk, proboscis, proboscis hooks, trunk spines, and reproductive structures. The molecular profile of this acanthocephalan, based on 18S rDNA and cox1 genes, groups with other Rhadinorhynchus species and further seems to confirm the paraphyly of the genus, which is discussed.

Do EMS College Students Fit Enough for The Future Occupational?

Emergency responders should be physically fit to perform strenuous duties perfectly and safely. The purpose of the present study was to assess student's occupational physical fitness in Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz College for Emergency Medical Services (PSAC-EMS) in line with the international physical fitness guidelines for American Council on Exercise (ACE). Seventy-three EMS students randomly selected. Mean age and BMI were (20.5+1.2) and (26.6+6.3) respectively. Participants asked to perform three suggested physical fitness for (ACE). We used tests protocol and administrations to calculate percentages for student group comparing it with the test-terminations criteria for (ACE). One sample t-test used to assess the differences between the obtained scores versus the reference scores. Results clearly showed a moderate to a strong correlation between most of the variables especially trunk flexor endurance test and trunk extensor endurance test (r =0.69, P < 0.01). In addition, there are a strong correlation between trunk lateral endurance (left side) and trunk lateral endurance (right side) tests (r =0.81, P < 0.01). In terms of ACE guidelines for EMS practitioners, results clearly showed that subjects of this study were not significant physically fit. This research concludes that students in (PSAC-EMS) need special exercise program focus primarily on the EMS responder's ability to fulfill their occupational requirements and to fulfill the mission of the (PSAC-EMS).

Recent advancements in lateral trunk flexion in Parkinson disease.

Understanding the pathophysiologic underpinnings of lateral trunk flexion (LTF) in Parkinson disease (PD) has been growing. Adjusting antiparkinsonian medications, botulinum toxin, or surgical intervention has been found efficacious in some patients. Nevertheless, these treatments remain limited, often resulting in inadequate outcomes. We review patients with LTF with PD, including recent advancements in treatment and neuroimaging examination. The basal ganglia system is a major contributing factor to LTF, and the therapeutic intervention also targets the basal ganglia system, including dystonic contraction. The perceptions of the postural verticality or spatial cognition of the correct body orientation promote the severity of LTF or result in a chronic condition with irreversible structural deformities. The combination of pharmacologic interventions with nonpharmacologic interventions, such as rehabilitation, might be needed to manage LTF, and the initiation of these treatments should be started as early as possible.

Trunk endurance and gait changes after core stability training in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy: A randomized controlled trial.

Weakness of trunk muscles is a common disorder in children with cerebral palsy (CP). They encounter decreased levels of endurance that can lead to diminished capacity of movement. To evaluate the effect of core stability training on the endurance of trunk muscles and gait parameters in children with hemiplegic CP. Thirty children with hemiplegic CP aged 10 to 12 years were randomly assigned to two groups of equal number; control group (A) and study group (B). Both groups underwent the same designed physical therapy program. Moreover, group B underwent core stability training 3 times/week for 8 weeks. Endurance time of trunk muscles and gait parameters were measured before and after the intervention using the trunk endurance tests and the Biodex gait trainer respectively. Both groups showed statistically significant improvements in the endurance time of trunk flexors and extensors and gait parameters after treatment but only group B showed statistically significant improvement in the endurance time of lateral trunk muscles. There were post-treatment statistically significant differences between both groups in favor of group B regarding all measured variables. Addition of core stability exercises to the treatment program can effectively improve the endurance time of trunk muscles and gait in children with hemiplegic CP.

Ergonomic evaluation of the musculoskeletal risks in a banana harvesting activity through qualitative and quantitative measures, with emphasis on motion capture (Xsens) and EMG

The objective of this study was to evaluate the risk of musculoskeletal injuries in a banana processing task. A sample of three workers were evaluated with the Nordic questionnaire as well as according to effort, discomfort and usability levels, hand grip dynamometry, inertial sensor motion capture (Xsens) and surface electromyography in the right arm. The workers had musculoskeletal complaints throughout the spine and hips, low effort and discomfort levels, and a satisfactory usability level. The hand grip strength values (dominant: 54.8 Kgf; non-dominant: 54.2 Kgf) were above the reference values for the Brazilian population. Regarding movement analysis, we identified risks related to cervical protrusion, forward and lateral trunk flexion, abduction and flexion in the shoulders, flexion, extension, radial and ulnar deviation in the wrists, as well as repetitive movements. Surface electromyography showed that the greatest demand during the task was on the extensor carpi radialis, although the trapezius and flexor carpi radialis showed a tendency toward fatigue. Thus, the set of evaluations showed that the tool used and worker adaptation to the position of the bunches, together with the repetitious movement, led to inadequate postures and musculoskeletal risks. Relevance to industryThe banana processing activity generates employment and income in several regions of the world and in Brazil. However, it is still rudimentary and may present risks to the worker's health. This study seeks to elucidate ergonomic risks through technological instrumentation in order to have a quantitative assessment of the ergonomic risks.

Botulinum toxin for Pisa syndrome: An MRI-, ultrasound- and electromyography-guided pilot study

IntroductionPisa syndrome is a disabling, medication-resistant, postural abnormality that may affect 7–10% of patients with Parkinson's disease. In this study, we sought to assess the efficacy of botulinum toxin injections in Parkinson's disease-associated Pisa syndrome using a Magnetic Resonance Imaging-, Ultrasonography-, and Electromyography-guided combined approach. MethodsWe conducted a pilot study to evaluate the efficacy of botulinum toxin type-A injection in paraspinal and non-paraspinal axial muscles after a Magnetic Resonance Imaging and ultrasound-guided electromyography evaluation. Inclusion criteria were Pisa syndrome, idiopathic Parkinson's disease, and stable dopaminergic medications. Exclusion criteria were previous treatment with botulinum toxin, history of major spine surgery, and severe orthopedic diseases. As primary endpoint, we measured the rate of patients improving by at least 5° in the lateral trunk flexion 2 months after therapy. Secondary endpoints were the extent of lateral trunk flexion improvement, and changes in PS-associated pain/discomfort, measured by the Visual Analogue Scale. ResultsOut the 15 patients initially enrolled, 13 completed the follow-up assessment, while 2 joined a rehabilitation program and were excluded from the analyses. The rate of responders was 84.6% (n = 11/13), with 40% average reduction in trunk bending. Pain/discomfort improved in all patients, with 52.2% amelioration at the Visual Analogue Scale. The procedure was well tolerated in all cases, without side effects or complications. ConclusionA combined imaging and EMG botulinum toxin approach to Pisa syndrome may yield a success rate greater than 80% in Parkinson's disease.

Cross-correlation between spine and hip joint kinematics differs in healthy individuals and subgroups of ankylosing spondylitis patients during trunk lateral flexion

BackgroundThe effects of sacroiliitis and syndesmophyte formation on the cross-correlation between spine and hip joint kinematics in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) are poorly understood. ObjectiveTo investigate the cross-correlation between spine and hip joint kinematics differs in healthy individuals and ankylosing spondylitis patients during trunk lateral flexion. MethodsFifty AS patients and thirty-nine healthy adults (controls) were recruited from a medical center. The patients were divided into two subgroups, namely the sacroiliitis (n = 28) and syndesmophyte (n = 22) subgroups. An inertial motion system was used to record kinematic data of spine, pelvic and hip joints during lateral trunk flexion. The maximal cross-correlation coefficient (CCF) and time lag of motion between the spine and hip joint were analyzed. ResultsThe syndesmophyte group had the smallest range of motion in all recorded motion. The sacroiliitis group exhibited higher thoracic flexion, pelvic pitch, and pelvic rotation than the other two groups. In the syndesmophyte group, the CCF between lumbar lateral flexion (LLF) and hip abduction were weakly and LLF and hip rotation were strongly correlated. Considering in time sequence, LLF occurred earlier than hip abduction and hip rotation during trunk lateral flexion; however, both AS subgroups exhibited longer time lags than in the control group. ConclusionThe cross-correlation between spine and hip joint kinematics differs in healthy individuals and AS patients during trunk lateral flexion. The motion pattern changes in patients with AS of differing severity may also alter the loads on the spine and hip joints.

Injury Prevention Strategies for Adolescent Cricket Pace Bowlers

Adolescent cricket pace bowlers are prone to non-contact shoulder, low back and lower-limb injuries. Exercise-based injury prevention programmes (IPPs) are effective for reducing non-contact injuries in athletes; however, a specific programme for adolescent pace bowlers has not been published. This paper therefore seeks to provide a rationale for the development of an exercise-based IPP specific for adolescent pace bowlers. It also outlines design principles and provides an example exercise programme that can be implemented at the community level. In addition, the paper addresses other injury prevention techniques concerned with the prescription of appropriate bowling loads and the modification of poor bowling biomechanics. Performing an exercise-based IPP before cricket training could reduce injury rates in adolescent pace bowlers. Eccentric strengthening exercises can be employed to target injuries to the posterior shoulder muscles, hip adductors and hamstring muscles. The risk of low back, knee and ankle injury could also be reduced with the inclusion of dynamic neuromuscular control exercises and trunk extensor endurance exercises. Other prevention strategies that need to be considered include the modification of poor bowling biomechanics, such as shoulder counter-rotation and lateral trunk flexion. Coaches and players should also aim to quantify bowling load accurately and coaches should use this information to prescribe appropriate individualised bowling loads. Specifically, players would benefit from avoiding both long periods of low load and acute periods when load is excessively high. Future evidence is needed to determine the effectiveness of the example programme outlined in this paper. It would also be beneficial to investigate whether the modification of bowling biomechanics is achievable at the non-elite level and if bowling load can be accurately measured and manipulated within a community-level population.

How do children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy manage walking on inclines?

BackgroundWalking on inclined surfaces is an everyday task, which challenges stability and propulsion even in healthy adults. Children with cerebral palsy adapt similarly to inclines like healthy children do. However, how stability and propulsion in these subjects are influenced by different inclines remained unaddressed as of yet. Research questionThe aim was to examine the feeling of safety, stability and propulsion of children with cerebral palsy when walking on inclines to gain insight into the challenges they might face on these conditions. MethodsEighteen children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy with gross motor function classification scale level I and II and nineteen healthy children underwent instrumented 3D gait analysis on level ground and on a 5° and a 10° incline. A mixed linear model was used to draw between and within group comparisons. ResultsReduced lateral trunk sway, a relative lengthening of the lower limb at initial contact and a controlled walking speed were employed during downhill gait compared to level walking. Patients showed an increased sagittal ROM of trunk (3–4°) and pelvis (2–3°) and a decreased sagittal knee ROM (13°) compared to the typically developed children. During uphill gait, an insufficient increase of push-off power at the ankle (increase by 0.48 W/kg) was noted in children with CP, which appeared to lead to particularly shorter strides (about 0.1 m) in patients compared to healthy children (increase by 1.32 W/kg). SignificanceDepending on inclination angle, children with cerebral palsy managed to walk on inclines in a controlled manner. The steeper the incline, the more the gait appeared to be affected: decreased feeling of safety, increased need for stabilising mechanisms for downhill gait and less sufficient uphill propulsion were seen. Helping these patients to attain better control during downhill gait and strengthening uphill gait mechanisms may support their participation in everyday life.

An Innovative Two-Layer Multiple-DOF Seat Suspension for Vehicle Whole Body Vibration Control

This paper proposes an innovative two-layer multiple-degree-of-freedom (multiple-DOF) seat suspension for reducing the whole body vibration (WBV) of heavy-duty vehicle drivers. This seat suspension is composed of a bottom-layer suspension for vertical vibration control and a top-layer suspension with two independently controlled rotational DOFs. The proposed seat suspension can control the vibration of the driver's body in five DOFs except the yaw vibration, which has least effect on humans, with only three actuators; though the five DOFs cannot be fully reduced by the three actuators, all of their magnitudes can be decreased. Another advantage of a two-layer structure is that the vertical vibration reduction can be decoupled from controlling the lateral trunk bending and forward flexion of the driver's body, because the fact that the most sensitive frequency contents of the vertical vibration to human are much higher than the frequency content of other four DOFs vibrations. The top-layer suspension is tested then its rotational stiffness and friction are identified. A decoupled model is derived and used in order to design a controller for the top-layer suspension. Experiments are implemented where the random roll and pitch vibration with random vertical vibration are exerted on the seat suspension base, respectively. The results indicate that the interaction of the top-layer and the bottom-layer is small; with the proposed multiple-DOF seat suspension, the WBV in five DOFs can be reduced simultaneously.

Mid-flight lateral trunk bending increased ipsilateral leg loading during landing: a center of mass analysis

ABSTRACTIncreased lateral trunk bending to the injured side has been observed when ACL injuries occur. The purpose was to quantify the effect of mid-flight lateral trunk bending on center of mass (COM) positions and subsequent landing mechanics during a jump-landing task. Forty-one recreational athletes performed a jump-landing task with or without mid-flight lateral trunk bending. When the left and right trunk bending conditions were compared with the no trunk bending condition, participants moved the COM of the upper body to the bending direction, while the COM of the pelvis, ipsilateral leg, and contralateral leg moved away from the bending direction relative to the whole body COM. Participants demonstrated increased peak vertical ground reaction forces (VGRF) and knee valgus and internal rotation angles at peak VGRF for the ipsilateral leg, but decreased peak VGRF and knee internal rotation angles at peak VGRF and increased knee varus angles at peak VGRF for the contralateral leg. Mid-flight lateral trunk resulted in an asymmetric landing pattern associated with increased ACL loading for the ipsilateral leg. The findings may help to understand altered trunk motion during ACL injury events and the discrepancy in ACL injuries related to limb dominance in badminton and volleyball.

P 140 - Assessment of angular momentum in patients with cerebral palsy, having excessive lateral trunk motion, during walking

Assessment of angular momentum and harmonic ratio for children with cerebral palsy during walking.

Altered landing mechanics are shown by male youth soccer players at different stages of maturation

ObjectivesExamine the effects of maturation on single leg jumping performance in elite male youth soccer players. DesignCross sectional. SettingAcademy soccer clubs. Participants347 male youth players classified as either pre, circa or post-peak height velocity (PHV). Main outcome measuresSingle leg countermovement jump (SLCMJ) height, peak vertical landing forces (pVGRF), knee valgus and trunk side flexion. ResultsVertical jump height and absolute pVGRF increased with each stage of maturation (p < 0.001; d = 0.85–2.35). Relative to body weight, significantly higher landing forces were recorded on the left leg in circa versus post-PHV players (p < 0.05; d = −0.40). Knee valgus reduced with maturation but the only notable between-group differences were shown in post-PHV players (p < 0.05; d = 0.67); however, greater ipsilateral lateral trunk flexion angles was also present and these differences were significantly increased relative to circa-PHV players (p < 0.05; d = 0.85). ConclusionPeriods of rapid growth are associated with landing kinetics which may heighten injury risk. While reductions in knee valgus were displayed with maturation; a compensatory strategy of greater trunk lateral flexion was evident in post-PHV players and this may increase the risk of injury.