GENDER DIFFERENCES AND LOWER LIMB ASYMMETRY IMPLICATIONS DURING DROP LANDINGS

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate asymmetry differences in landing techniques adopted by male and female athletes. Eight (4 male; 4 female) participants (age: 20.5 ±0.7 years, mass: 73.09 ±12.05 kg, height: 1.77 ±0.75 m performed drop landings from two heights (0.60 m & 0.90 m). Kinematic and kinetic data were collected during landing and used to calculated asymmetry for joint angles and kinetic variables. Significant (p<0.05) asymmetry was observed for all variables with larger kinetic asymmetry than observed in previous studies. Asymmetry of ankle flexion at touchdown reported for 7/8 participants may increase injury predisposition of one limb over the other. There was no clear gender difference for either the prominence or magnitude of asymmetry.