Characteristics of three lower limb joint kinetics affecting rebound jump performance

PLoS One. 2022 Aug 15;17(8):e0268339. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0268339. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

The stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) motor execution ability of the lower limb was measured using the rebound jump index (RJ-index) in RJ test; this performance is influenced by the interaction of the forces exerted by the three joints of the lower limb.We aimed to determine RJ performance variables and identify the lower limb kinetic variables that affect them. One hundred two female university students (age, 20.1±1.0 years; height, 164.6±7.2 cm; mass, 58.9±7.3 kg) for whom RJ performance variables (RJ-index, jump height, and contact time) and joint kinetics (torque, power, and work) were measured. Statistical analysis showed a strong correlation between the RJ-index and jump height or contact time (r = 0.920, -0.726, p < 0.05) but a weak correlation between the jump height and contact time (r = -0.384, p < 0.05). Furthermore, positive ankle power was the most influential factor for RJ performance variables; additionally, positive knee power and hip work and eccentric knee torque significantly influenced jump height, and positive ankle power, negative work and power, and concentric torque significantly influenced the contact time. The acquisition of the jump height and a shorter contact time requires different kinetic variables. Furthermore, the characteristics of the force exerted by the three joints of the lower limb that compose the RJ-index may be different even if the RJ-index has the same value. Therefore, by assessing not only the RJ-index but also the jump height, contact time, and characteristics of lower limb joint kinetics in the RJ test, it is possible to conduct effective training to improve lower limb SSC motor execution performance according to individual characteristics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Ankle Joint
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Kinetics
  • Knee
  • Lower Extremity*
  • Movement*
  • Torque
  • Young Adult

Grants and funding

This research was supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (20K23310 and 21K17564). 20K23310 was responsible for the conception of this paper, data collection, data analysis, and the elaboration of the manuscript. 21K17564 was responsible for the data collection, data analysis.