LANDING TRAINING WITH CONCURRENT TACTILE FEEDBACK INCREASED MAXIMUM KNEE FLEXION ANGLE AND DECREASED IMPACT FORCES

Abstract

The current study evaluated the effects of landing training with a tactile feedback device on knee flexion angles and impact ground reaction forces (GRF). Twenty-two recreational athletes performed 3 landing trials without the device (baseline), 6 landing trials with the device (training), and 3 landing trials without the device (retention). The maximum knee flexion angle during landing was greater for the training and retention conditions compared to the baseline condition. The vertical GRF at peak posterior ground reaction force (PPGRF) was smaller for the training condition compared to the baseline condition. The sagittal plane resultant force at PPGRF was smaller for the training and retention conditions compared to the baseline condition. The tactile feedback device might be used in landing training to modify movement patterns and decrease the risk of ACL injury.