Journal of Research in Rehabilitation Sciences

Investigation of the Relationship between Vertical Stiffness and Time to Stability Index during Landing

Document Type : Original Articles

Authors

1 PhD Student in Sports Biomechanics, Department of Biomechanics and Sports Injuries, School of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran

2 Professor, Department of Biomechanics and Sports Injuries, School of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran

3 Assistant Professor Department of Biomechanics and Sports Injuries, School of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran

10.22122/jrrs.v16i0.3625

Abstract

Introduction: Theoretically, stiffness is effective in the stability and can subsequently reduce the risk of injury. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between vertical stiffness and time to reach stability during landing.Materials and Methods: Twenty healthy active men participated voluntarily in this study. Vertical hopping tests were performed bilaterally, unilaterally on dominant leg, and unilaterally on non-dominant leg with self-selected, controlled (frequency: 2.2 Hz), and maximal strategies during which vertical stiffness variables were determined. Single-leg landing test from platform was performed to determine the variables of time to reach stability in vertical, anterior-posterior (AP), and medio-lateral (ML) directions on the force plate. The relationship between vertical stiffness and time to reach stability variables was determined by Pearson correlation test (P ≤ 0.05).Results: A significant positive relationship was observed between maximum unilateral vertical stiffness on dominant leg (r = 0.45, P = 0.048) and non-dominant leg (r = 0.52, P = 0.012) with time to reach stability in AP direction.Conclusion: These findings suggest that high level of vertical stiffness increases the AP time to reach stability and consequently increases the risk of associated injuries.

Keywords

  1. Butler RJ, Crowell HP 3rd, Davis IM. Lower extremity stiffness: Implications for performance and injury. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon) 2003; 18(6): 511-7.
  2. Hobara H, Inoue K, Kanosue K. Effect of hopping frequency on bilateral differences in leg stiffness. J Appl Biomech 2013; 29(1): 55-60.
  3. Pearson SJ, McMahon J. Lower limb mechanical properties: determining factors and implications for performance. Sports Med 2012; 42(11): 929-40.
  4. Lamontagne M, Kennedy MJ. The biomechanics of vertical hopping: A review. Res Sports Med 2013; 21(4): 380-94.
  5. Serpell BG, Ball NB, Scarvell JM, Smith PN. A review of models of vertical, leg, and knee stiffness in adults for running, jumping or hopping tasks. J Sports Sci 2012; 30(13): 1347-63.
  6. Watsford ML, Murphy AJ, McLachlan KA, Bryant AL, Cameron ML, Crossley KM, et al. A prospective study of the relationship between lower body stiffness and hamstring injury in professional Australian rules footballers. Am J Sports Med 2010; 38(10): 2058-64.
  7. Bojsen-Moller J, Magnusson SP, Rasmussen LR, Kjaer M, Aagaard P. Muscle performance during maximal isometric and dynamic contractions is influenced by the stiffness of the tendinous structures. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2005; 99(3): 986-94.
  8. Pruyn EC, Watsford M, Murphy A. The relationship between lower-body stiffness and dynamic performance. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 2014; 39(10): 1144-50.
  9. Kubo K, Morimoto M, Komuro T, Tsunoda N, Kanehisa H, Fukunaga T. Influences of tendon stiffness, joint stiffness, and electromyographic activity on jump performances using single joint. Eur J Appl Physiol 2007; 99(3): 235-43.
  10. Blackburn JT, Norcross MF, Cannon LN, Zinder SM. Hamstrings stiffness and landing biomechanics linked to anterior cruciate ligament loading. J Athl Train 2013; 48(6): 764-72.
  11. Pruyn EC, Watsford ML, Murphy AJ, Pine MJ, Spurrs RW, Cameron ML, et al. Relationship between leg stiffness and lower body injuries in professional Australian football. J Sports Sci 2012; 30(1): 71-8.
  12. Padua DA, Arnold BL, Perrin DH, Gansneder BM, Carcia CR, Granata KP. Fatigue, vertical leg stiffness, and stiffness control strategies in males and females. J Athl Train 2006; 41(3): 294-304.
  13. Flanagan EP, Galvin L, Harrison AJ. Force production and reactive strength capabilities after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. J Athl Train 2008; 43(3): 249-57.
  14. Maquirriain J. Leg stiffness changes in athletes with Achilles tendinopathy. Int J Sports Med 2012; 33(7): 567-71.
  15. Brazier J, Maloney S, Bishop C, Read PJ, Turner AN. Lower extremity stiffness: Considerations for testing, performance enhancement, and injury risk. J Strength Cond Res 2019; 33(4): 1156-66.
  16. McGill S. Ultimate Back Fitness and Performance. Waterloo, Canada: Backfitpro Incorporated; 2006.
  17. Fransz DP, Huurnink A, de Boode VA, Kingma I, van Dieen JH. Time to stabilization in single leg drop jump landings: An examination of calculation methods and assessment of differences in sample rate, filter settings and trial length on outcome values. Gait Posture 2015; 41(1): 63-9.
  18. Farley CT, Morgenroth DC. Leg stiffness primarily depends on ankle stiffness during human hopping. J Biomech 1999; 32(3): 267-73.
  19. Brauner T, Sterzing T, Wulf M, Horstmann T. Leg stiffness: Comparison between unilateral and bilateral hopping tasks. Hum Mov Sci 2014; 33: 263-72.
  20. Sutherlin MA, Mangum LC, Russell S, Saliba S, Hertel J, Hart JM. Landing stiffness between individuals with and without a history of low back pain. J Sport Rehabil 2020; 29(1): 28-36.
  21. Hobara H, Kobayashi Y, Yoshida E, Mochimaru M. Leg stiffness of older and younger individuals over a range of hopping frequencies. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2015; 25(2): 305-9.
  22. Williams DS, III, Davis IM, Scholz JP, Hamill J, Buchanan TS. High-arched runners exhibit increased leg stiffness compared to low-arched runners. Gait Posture 2004; 19(3): 263-9.
  23. Cavagna GA. Force platforms as ergometers. J Appl Physiol 1975; 39(1): 174-9.
  24. Fransz DP, Huurnink A, de Boode VA, Kingma I, van Dieen JH. The effect of the stability threshold on time to stabilization and its reliability following a single leg drop jump landing. J Biomech 2016; 49(3): 496-501.
  25. Aerts I, Cumps E, Verhagen E, Verschueren J, Meeusen R. A systematic review of different jump-landing variables in relation to injuries. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 2013; 53(5): 509-19.
  26. Granata KP, Wilson SE, Padua DA. Gender differences in active musculoskeletal stiffness. Part I. Quantification in controlled measurements of knee joint dynamics. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2002; 12(2): 119-26.
  27. Hobara H, Kato E, Kobayashi Y, Ogata T. Sex differences in relationship between passive ankle stiffness and leg stiffness during hopping. J Biomech 2012; 45(16): 2750-4.
Journal of Research in Rehabilitation Sciences
Volume 16, Issue 1 - Serial Number 1
April 2020
Pages 195-200
  • Receive Date: 09 November 2020
  • Revise Date: 02 June 2022
  • Accept Date: 22 May 2022