Effects of a soccer-specific vertical jump on lower extremity landing kinematics

Abstract

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury frequently occurs in female soccer athletes during deceleration movements such as landings. In soccer, landings mostly occur following jumping headers. Little research has been done to determine the mechanics that follow and how they compare to standard drop vertical jumps (DVJ). The purpose of this study was to analyze differences in kinematics between the DVJ and the soccer-specific vertical jump (SSVJ) in female soccer athletes to better assess the sport-specific risk for ACL injury. A secondary aim was to compare second landings (L2) to first landings (L1). Eight female recreational soccer athletes performed DVJs and SSVJs initiated from a 31 ​cm height. Motion capture was performed during landings and data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA. SSVJs produced less peak hip flexion (p ​= ​0.03) and less peak knee flexion (p ​= ​0.002) than DVJs. SSVJs also demonstrated increased ankle plantarflexion at initial contact (IC) than DVJs (p ​= ​0.005). L2s produced less peak hip (p ​= ​0.007) and knee flexion (p ​= ​0.002) than L1s. SSVJs and L2s displayed a more erect landing posture than the DVJs and L1s at the hip and knee, a known ACL risk factor. The significant results between jump styles show that the SSVJ displays mechanics that are different from the DVJ. The SSVJ may be a better sport-specific screening tool for ACL injury mechanisms than the DVJ in soccer athletes as it has a more direct translation to the sport.

Keywords

ACL / Female soccer athletes / Jump landing / Kinematics / Injury mechanisms

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have NO affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest (such as honoraria; educational grants; participation in speakers' bureaus; membership, employment, consultancies, stock ownership, or other equity interest; and expert testimony or patent-licensing arrangements). or non-financial interest (such as personal or professional relationships, affiliations, knowledge or beliefs) in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.

Funding details

This work was supported by the Ball State University ASPiRE Grant 2020.

Ethical approval statement

The study was approved by the Ball State University institutional review board (IRB #1672880-2). All participants read and signed a university-approved informed consent form detailing the study.

Authors’ contribution

Conceived and designed the analysis: Mancini, Dickin, Hankemeier, and Wang.

Collected the data: Mancini, Welch, and Wang Contributed data or analysis tools: Mancini and Wang Performed the analysis: Mancini, Dickin, and Wang Wrote the paper: Mancini, Ashton, and Wang

Other contributions: Dickin and Hankemeier provided guidance during study design, interpretation and write-up. Ashton edited paper. Welch contributed to research process

Submission statement

The authors confirm that this work has not been previously published, nor is it currently under consideration for publication elsewhere. All of the authors approve this work for publication and if accepted, it will not be published elsewhere without written consent of the copyright-holder.

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