Leg kinematics and kinetics in landing from a single-leg hop for distance. A comparison between dominant and non-dominant leg.
BACKGROUND
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficiency can be a major problem for athletes and subsequent reconstruction of the ACL may be indicated if a conservative regimen has failed. After ACL reconstruction signs of abnormality in the use of the leg remain for a long time. It is expected that the landing after a single-leg hop for distance (horizontal hop) might give insight in the differences in kinematics and kinetics between uninjured legs and ACL-reconstructed legs. Before the ACL-reconstructed leg can be compared with the contralateral leg, knowledge of differences between legs of uninjured subjects is needed.


METHODS
Kinematic and kinetic variables of both legs were measured with an optoelectronic system and a force plate and calculated by inverse dynamics. The dominant leg (the leg with biggest horizontal hop distance) and the contralateral leg of nine uninjured subjects were compared.


RESULTS
No significant differences were found in most of the kinematic and kinetic variables between dominant leg and contralateral leg of uninjured subjects. Only hop distance and hip extension angles differed significantly.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that there are no important differences between dominant leg and contralateral leg in healthy subjects. As a consequence, the uninvolved leg of ACL-reconstructed patients can be used as a reference. The observed variables of this study can be used as a reference of normal values and normal differences between legs in healthy subjects.
van der Harst
J J
JJ
Center for Human Movement Sciences, University Medical Center Groningen, P.O. Box 196, 9700 AD Groningen, The Netherlands.
Gokeler
A
A
Hof
A L
AL
D000328:Adult; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000502:physiology; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D006621:Hip Joint; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000502:physiology; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D012421:Rupture