Changes in biomechanics induced by fatigue in single-leg jump and landing

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects on lower extremities during muscle fatigue. The experimental trial of single-leg landing and jumping was conducted in a group of healthy male subjects. The experimental protocol included series of single-leg landings from elevated platform, single-leg jumps and fatiguing process that was kept at reasonable level, by asking each subject to make total of 60 two-legged squats. The results show that there was no significant change in overall shock attenuation prior and after the experiment. However the ankle work decreased, while the hip work increased. Even though the fatigue caused significant decrease in peak moments at the hip, knee and ankle joints, the significant increase in hip range of motion resulted in constant overall shock attenuation. The results suggest that the lower extremity is able to adapt to fatigue due to redistributing work to larger hip muscles.