WEARING COMPRESSION SHORTS ON HIP JOINT KINEMATICS, KINETICS, AND MUSCULAR ACTIVITY DURING DROP JUMPS FROM DIFFERENT HEIGHTS

Abstract

The aim of the study was to explore the effect of compression shorts on hip joint kinematics, kinetics, and muscle activity during drop jumps. Twelve subjects were requested to wear two types of shorts to achieve drop jumps from different heights. Kinematics, kinetics, and EMG signals of the rectus femoris and biceps femoris were collected simultaneously. Wearing compression shorts significantly decreased hip joint angle & angular velocity during the entire landing phase; meanwhile, no changes were found in drop jump height and force outputs (maximum hip joint moment, joint power, and joint stiffness). A significant EMG decrease of the muscles in pre- and post-activation phases, as well as in downward and push-off phases from certain drop heights, was found in wearing compression shorts, which might be beneficial in energy consumption.