Jump-Landing Differences Between Varsity, Club, and Intramural Athletes

• DOI: 10.1519/jsc.0b013e3182a1fdcd
• Publication Date: 2013-07-02T15:04:05Z
• Authors: Justin L. Theiss; J. Parry Gerber; Kenneth L. Cameron; Anthony I. Beutler; Stephen W. Marshall; Lindsay J. Distefano; Darin A. Padua; Sarah J. de la Motte; Joseph M. Miller; Craig A. Yunker
• Keywords: Vertical jump; ACL injury

Abnormal movement patterns have been identified as important prospective risk factors for lower extremity injury, including anterior cruciate ligament injury. Specifically, poor neuromuscular control during the early landing phase has associated with increased injury risk. Although it is commonly assumed that higher division collegiate athletes generally exhibit better than athletes, few studies compare biomechanical differences on basic tasks such jump between various levels of athletic groups. The objective this study was to evaluate jump-landing and fitness among college-aged Intramural, Competitive Club, National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I level athletes. Two hundred seventy-seven student-athletes (222 men, 55 women; age 19.3 ± 0.8 years) categorized NCAA I, or Intramural were evaluated a task using Landing Error Scoring System (LESS), validated qualitative assessment. Fitness measured Army Physical Test (APFT). Results showed no significant in errors group (F(2,267) = 0.36, p 0.70). There difference genders (F(1,268) 3.99, 0.05). Significant APFT scores observed 11.14, < 0.001) gender 9.27, 0.003). correlation LESS (p 0.26). In conclusion, had physical by but did not technique. implications research suggest "high-risk" are prevalent all