title: Landing Technique Improvements After an Aquatic-Based Neuromuscular Training Program in Physically Active Women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Neuromuscular training programs (NTPs) improve landing technique and decrease vertical ground-reaction forces (VGRFs), resulting in injury-risk reduction. NTPs in an aquatic environment may elicit the same improvements as land-based programs with reduced joint stress.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine the effects of an aquatic NTP on landing technique as measured by the Landing Error Scoring System (LESS) and VGRFs, immediately and 4 mo after the intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  Repeated measures, pool and laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen healthy, recreationally active women (age 21 ± 2 y, mass 62.02 ± 8.18 kg, height 164.74 ± 5.97 cm) who demonstrated poor landing technique (LESS-Real Time > 4).
  
  
  METHODS
  All participants completed an aquatic NTP 3 times/wk for 6 wk.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants' landing technique was evaluated using a jump-landing task immediately before (PRE), immediately after (POST), and 4 mo after (RET) the intervention period. A single rater, blinded to time point, graded all videos using the LESS, which is a valid and reliable movement-screening tool. Peak VGRFs were measured during the stance phase of the jump-landing test. Repeated-measure analyses of variance with planned comparisons were performed to explore differences between time points.
  
  
  RESULTS
  LESS scores were lower at POST (4.46 ± 1.69 errors) and at RET (4.2 ± 1.72 errors) than at PRE (6.30 ± 1.78 errors) (P < .01). No significant differences were observed between POST and RET (P > .05). Participants also landed with significantly lower peak VGRFs (P < .01) from PRE (2.69 ± .72 N) to POST (2.23 ± .66 N).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings introduce evidence that an aquatic NTP improves landing technique and suggest that improvements are retained over time. These results show promise of using an aquatic NTP when there is a desire to reduce joint loading, such as early stages of rehabilitation, to improve biomechanics and reduce injury risk.
authors.forename: Samantha E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Scarneo
authors.forename: Hayley J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Root
authors.forename: Jessica C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.forename: Craig
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Denegar
authors.forename: Douglas J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Casa
authors.forename: Stephanie M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Mazerolle
authors.forename: Catie L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Dann
authors.forename: Giselle A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Aerni
authors.forename: Lindsay J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: DiStefano
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D064797:Physical Conditioning, Human / Q000379:methods*; D013177:Sports; D014867:Water; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014867:Water
keywords: LESS; aquatic therapy; injury prevention