Sex differences in force attenuation: a clinical assessment of single-leg hop performance on a portable force plate.
OBJECTIVE
Impaired biomechanics and neuromuscular control have been suggested as probable links to female sex bias in the onset of patellofemoral pain syndrome. There are limited objective, clinical measures for assessment of impaired biomechanics and neuromuscular control. The primary objective of this investigation was to examine sex differences in vertical ground reaction force (vGRF) and force loading rate in young athletes performing maximum, repeated vertical single-leg hops (RVSHs). The authors hypothesised that females would demonstrate greater vGRF and force loading rate than males and show interlimb differences in force attenuation.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Paediatric sports medicine clinic.


METHODS
109 Healthy high school, soccer and basketball athletes.


METHODS
Participants performed RVSHs for 15 seconds on a portable force plate with a sampling rate of 400 Hz (Accupower; AMTI, Watertown, Massachusetts, USA).


METHODS
Raw vGRF was filtered with a generalised cross-validation spline using a 50-Hz cutoff frequency and then normalised to potential energy. Force loading rate was calculated by dividing normalised vGRF by time-to-peak force. Group means were compared using analysis of variance.


RESULTS
The females demonstrated significantly greater normalised vGRF (p<0.001) and force loading rate (p<0.001) during landing than their male counterparts. Neither sex demonstrated significant interlimb differences in force attenuation (p>0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The female athletes may have altered force attenuation capability during RVSHs as identified by increased vGRF and force loading rate compared with the male athletes. Portable force plates may be potential tools to identify altered force attenuation in clinical settings.
Division of Occupational and Physical Therapy, The Sports Medicine Biodynamics Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, MLC 10001, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039, USA.
A D
AD
Harrison
K R
KR
Ford
G D
GD
Myer
T E
TE
Hewett
D000293:Adolescent; D001490:Basketball / Q000502:physiology; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology; D013178:Sports Medicine / Q000295:instrumentation