Effects of fatigue on the lower limb biomechanics during single leg landing among male recreational athletes
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Date
2021-07
Authors
Zahir, Muhammad Amzar Anas Mohd
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Pusat Pengajian Sains Kesihatan, Universiti Sains Malaysia
Abstract
Most landing studies focused on several common biomechanical variables to
characterize the role of different factors in injury. These variables include the joint
kinematics and peak vertical Ground Reaction Force (vGRF). Peak vGRF may elaborate
internal loads that may cause injury if not sufficiently distributed or attenuated by the
musculoskeletal system. Furthermore, many studies have been conducted on the
biomechanics of landing to determine the biomechanical factors that can minimize the
impact forces and knee loading during landing. However, studies about the effects of
fatigue on lower limb biomechanics during single leg landing (SLL) are scarce.
Therefore, this study has been conducted to know the effects of fatigue on the lower limb
biomechanics during SLL among male recreational athletes (i.e., volleyball, basketball,
handball, and badminton). Fifteen participants joined the study voluntarily. Thirteen of
them were recruited after anthropometrical screening. The participants performed Single
Leg Landing (SLL) test (i.e., maximal effort countermovement jump from the ground)
with three-dimensional (3D) motion capture before and after performing the fatigue
protocol. During the fatigue protocol, participants were considered to achieve fatigue
when their heart rate (HR) reached 90% of their age-calculated maximum heart rate, or
when they cannot continue to perform rope skipping anymore. The sagittal plane knee
joint kinematics and GRF was evaluated using the Qualisys Motion Capture Systems.
The kinematics and GRF were compared at three landing phases (i.e., Maximum vGRF,
1st peak, and 2nd peak of vGRF). Paired T-test and Wilcoxon-Signed Rank test were used
in this study to know if there were any significant differences in knee kinematics and GRF
between pre- and post-fatigue. Based on the tests, there were no significant effects of
fatigue on sagittal plane knee kinematics at all landing phases. For GRF, there were no
significant effects of fatigue on the vGRF at landing phases 1st peak and 2nd peak of
vGRF, however, there was significant effect of fatigue on the vGRF at landing phase
maximum vGRF (MvGRF). Therefore, coaches and athletes are suggested to include
more training that focuses on the correction of landing technique. For kinematics, coaches
should focus on the improvement of knee flexion angle during landing with single leg,
while for GRF, coaches should focus on the dissipation of forces at the knee.
Description
Keywords
Physical therapy modalities