Effects of different landing strategies to decrease knee joint loading

Abstract

Purpose- The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of different landing strategies and muscle strength training to knee joint. Methods- Fifteen recreational athletes, aged 21 to 30 years, were selected in the study. Stop jumping and landing task was chosen as the experimental task for this study. Each jumping height was controlled in same height for each subject. The landing conditions were (a) Normal; (b) knee bending; and (c) knee stiffness. And post-test was examined after training hamstrings for three weeks. Result- Results showed the peak vertical force was larger in landing with knee stiffness than with knee bending and normal conditions (p<0.05). Landing with knee stiffness has larger knee extension moment in initial landing than normal and knee bending conditions (p<0.05). There no significant difference between pre and post training. Conclusion- This study suggested that we can ask players to flex their knee during landing. The strategy can decrease the risk against ACL injury and promote safer landing. © 2008 Springer-Verlag.