April L McPherson1, Brittany Dowling2, Travis G Tubbs3, James M Paci4. 1. Motus Global, 5394 Merrick Rd., Massapequa, NY, 11758, USA. Electronic address: april@motusglobal.com. 2. Motus Global, 5394 Merrick Rd., Massapequa, NY, 11758, USA. Electronic address: brittany@motusglobal.com. 3. Motus Global, 5394 Merrick Rd., Massapequa, NY, 11758, USA. Electronic address: travis@motusglobal.com. 4. Motus Global, 5394 Merrick Rd., Massapequa, NY, 11758, USA; Department of Orthopaedics, Stony Brook University School of Medicine, 101 Nicolls Rd., Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA. Electronic address: james_paci@yahoo.com.
Abstract
CONTEXT: In both research and clinical settings there is an assumption of symmetry between limbs in landing. However, development of a preferred limb side is a natural occurrence. It is not well established how limb dominance affects landing mechanics in a unilateral or bilateral landing. OBJECTIVE: To investigate sagittal plane mechanics between dominant and non-dominant legs in both unilateral and a bilateral landing tasks. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Laboratory environment. PARTICIPANTS: 148 male athletes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Sagittal plane kinematics (hip, knee, and ankle flexion) at initial contact and maximum knee flexion, and total excursion of the movement. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between limbs in the unilateral landing. Knee flexion (p = 0.02) and hip flexion (p = 0.00) were significantly different between dominant and non-dominant limbs at initial contact in the bilateral landing. Knee flexion total excursion (p = 0.04) and hip flexion total excursion (p = 0.03) in the bilateral landing were also significantly different between limbs. CONCLUSIONS: Lower limb symmetry was observed for the unilateral landing. Minimal, yet significant, asymmetries (less than 2°) were present during the bilateral landing. This finding justifies the continued use of the dominant limb in research and clinical settings. Copyright Â
CONTEXT: In both research and clinical settings there is an assumption of symmetry between limbs in landing. However, development of a preferred limb side is a natural occurrence. It is not well established how limb dominance affects landing mechanics in a unilateral or bilateral landing. OBJECTIVE: To investigate sagittal plane mechanics between dominant and non-dominant legs in both unilateral and a bilateral landing tasks. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Laboratory environment. PARTICIPANTS: 148 male athletes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Sagittal plane kinematics (hip, knee, and ankle flexion) at initial contact and maximum knee flexion, and total excursion of the movement. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between limbs in the unilateral landing. Knee flexion (p = 0.02) and hip flexion (p = 0.00) were significantly different between dominant and non-dominant limbs at initial contact in the bilateral landing. Knee flexion total excursion (p = 0.04) and hip flexion total excursion (p = 0.03) in the bilateral landing were also significantly different between limbs. CONCLUSIONS: Lower limb symmetry was observed for the unilateral landing. Minimal, yet significant, asymmetries (less than 2°) were present during the bilateral landing. This finding justifies the continued use of the dominant limb in research and clinical settings. Copyright Â