GENDER DIFFERENCES IN VERTICAL GROUND REACTION FORCE ATTENUATION DURING STOP-JUMP TASK

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine gender differences in peak vertical ground reaction forces (VGRF) and rate of loading (ROL) during stop-jump task. Forty four healthy students from kinesiology department (22 males and 22 females) volunteered in this study. Subjects performed stop-jump task on the force plate and Peak VGRF and ROL calculated using GRF data. To evaluate differences in peak VGRF and ROL between two groups Multivariate analysis of Variance at the P level of 0.05 used. Differences in ROL was significant between two groups (F1,41=5.63, Wilks’ Lambda = 0.37, ) but differences in Peak VGRF was not significant (F1,42 = 2.82, ). Based on our results, Increase in ROL during impact of landing can increase knee loading and consequently create higher incidence of ACL injuries among females compare to males.