Biomechanical Knee Risk Factors Between Horizontal and Vertical Landing Conditions.

Abstract

The purpose of this experiment was to determine biomechanical risk factors for knee injury between horizontal and vertical landing conditions. This experiment was performed using a 3 dimensional motion camera system, reflective markers, and two force plates. There were twelve participants who were all physically active females age 18-25. They each performed three vertical and three horizontal landing trials. The variables analyzed included ground reaction force which was used to calculate loading rate, knee orientation angle, and sagittal and frontal joint knee moment. It was found that loading rate was higher in the horizontal component; there was greater knee flexion angle in the vertical direction. Varus knee moment was greater in the horizontal direction, and greater knee extension moment in the horizontal direction. In conclusion, the horizontal landing conditions result in greater risk of knee injury.