Sex differences in lower extremity biomechanics during single leg landings

Abstract

Background. Females have an increased incident rate of anterior cruciate ligament tears compared to males. Biomechanical strategies to decelerate the body in the vertical direction have been implicated as a contributing cause. This study determined if females would exhibit single leg landing strategies characterized by decreased amounts of hip, knee, and ankle flexion resulting in greater vertical ground reaction forces and altered energy absorption patterns when compared to males. Methods. Recreationally active males (N = 14) and females (N = 14), completed five single leg landings from a 0.3 m height onto a force platform while three-dimensional kinematics and kinetics were simultaneously collected. Findings. Compared to males, females exhibited (1) less total hip and knee flexion displacements (40% and 64% of males, respectively, P < 0.05) and less time to peak hip and knee flexion (48% and 78% of males, respectively, P < 0.05), (2) 9% greater peak vertical ground reaction forces (P < 0.05), (3) less total lower body energy absorption (76% of males, P < 0.05), and (4) 11% greater relative energy absorption at the ankle (P < 0.05)