|
17th
Annual ECSS-Congress, Bruges 2012
Abstract details
| Abstract-ID: |
542 |
|
Session: |
[OP-BN03] Biomechanics [BM] 3 |
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Lecture room: |
Aula Magna 3 |
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Date & time: |
27.06.2013 / 18:00 - 19:30 |
| Title of the paper: |
LANDING TECHNIQUE DOES NOT EXPLAIN THE INJURY DISCREPANCY BETWEEN ELITE AND SUB-ELITE VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS |
| Authors: |
Janssen, I.1,2,3, Steele, J.R.1, Munro, B.J.1, Brown, N.A.T.2 |
| Institution: |
1: BRL University of Wollongong (Wollongong, Australia), 2: AIS Movement Sciences (Canberra, Australia), 3: NOC*NSF (Papendal, Netherlands) |
| Department: |
TopSport |
| Country: |
Netherlands |
|
Abstract text |
Introduction
Patellar tendinopathy is the most common overuse knee injury incurred in volleyball (Ferretti et al., 1990) with prevalence in elites athletes more than three times that of their sub-elite counterparts (Lian et al., 2005). It remains unknown, however, whether this discrepancy is a result of between-skill level differences in jump landing technique. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate whether landing technique was moderated by skill level when landing from a lateral block jump.
Methods
Eight elite male and eight sub-elite male volleyball players, anthropometrically matched, performed a volleyball-specific lateral stop-jump movement. Three-dimensional landing kinematics (250 Hz), kinetics (1,500 Hz), and neuromuscular activation patterns of the gluteus maximus, biceps femoris, semitendinosus, rectus femoris, vastus medialis, and medial gastrocnemius (1,500 Hz) were collected during each trial. Peak patellar tendon force and the patellar tendon force loading rate were also calculated. Independent t-tests (p≤0.05) with a Bonferroni correction identified whether any between-skill level differences in landing technique were evident.
Results
Elite volleyball players generated similar patellar tendon loading as the sub-elite players during landing. There were no significant between-skill level differences found in any of the landing kinematic variables. Furthermore, no significant differences in the onset or peak activation of the lower limb muscles relative to the time of the peak patellar tendon force were observed.
Discussion
This study revealed that the landing technique of elite and sub-elite volleyball players did not significantly differ, and thus technique differences do not explain the discrepancy in patellar tendinopathy prevalence. As patellar tendinopathy is an overuse injury (Richards et al., 1996), it is probable that high jumping and landing volume is the critical factor in developing the injury. Elite volleyball programs are recommended to reconsider performing a high volume of jumping at each training session, particularly for players who perform a high number of lateral stop-jumps, such as middle blockers. Interventions designed to modify the frequency of landings rather than trying to alter landing technique per se are recommended as a possible strategy to reduce patellar tendinopathy prevalence in volleyball players.
References
Ferretti A, Papandrea P, Conteduca F. (1990). Sports Med, 10, 132-138.
Lian O, Engebretsen, L, Bahr R. (2005). Am J Sports Med, 33, 561-567.
Richards DP, Ajemian SV, Wiley JP, Zernicke RF. (1996) Am J Sports Med, 24, 676-683. |
| Topic: |
Biomechanics |
| Keyword I: |
Landing |
| Keyword II: |
Volleyball |
| Keyword III: |
Patellar tendinopathy |
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