Drop-jump landing performance linked with risk for ankle sprains in male soccer players
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Mediolateral force over 0 to 0.4 seconds and/or a mean resultant horizontal ground-reaction force over 3 to 5 seconds after a single-legged drop-jump landing test may be able to predict the occurrence of an ankle sprain within three years in elite male soccer players.
Researchers performed a single-legged drop-jump landing test on 190 elite soccer players. Investigators determined six outcome measures based on ground-reaction forces to demonstrate the impact and stabilization phase. During up to 3 years follow-up, lateral ankle sprains were registered. Multivariate regression analysis was performed following a z score correction for age.
Results showed 45 players had a primary lateral ankle sprain during follow-up. Performance was associated with the risk for ankle sprain. Risk factors included low mediolateral stability for the first 0.4 seconds after landing and high horizontal ground-reaction force between and 3 and 5 seconds.
According to researchers, if a player scored 2 standard deviations below average for risk factors, they had a 4.4 times greater chance of an ankle sprain compared with a player who scored average. – by Monica Jaramillo
Disclosures: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.