SOFT TISSUE MOVEMENT IN THE LOWER LIMB DURING DROP JUMPS

Abstract

Understanding loading on the human body and movement energetics is essential for researchers and practitioners to optimise training and investigate potential mechanisms of injury and adaptation. Recent work has suggested soft tissue movement relative to underlying bones during impact affects not only calculated loading but also metabolic cost. The aim of this study was to quantify the movement of the centre of mass of the soft tissues of the shank during high-impact, drop jump landings from 30 and 45 cm in healthy, adult males, and quantify the work done by these tissues. Soft tissue centre of mass moved by up to 0.038 m in the vertical direction (average: 0.021 m), and the soft tissues performed 2.9-3.5 J of work (4.1-6.4 J absolute work) during the landings. These results may hence have a significant effect on calculated joint torques and movement energetics.