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Vertical Drop Jump Performance in Youth With Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Author(s) -
Kuntze Gregor,
Nettel-Aguirre Alberto,
Brooks Julia,
Esau Shane,
Nesbitt Colleen,
Mosher Dianne,
Twilt Marinka,
Benseler Susanne,
Ronsky Janet L.,
Emery Carolyn A.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
arthritis care and research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.032
H-Index - 163
eISSN - 2151-4658
pISSN - 2151-464X
DOI - 10.1002/acr.24219
Subject(s) - ankle , medicine , biomechanics , physical therapy , force platform , vertical jump , arthritis , confounding , juvenile , physical medicine and rehabilitation , ground reaction force , jump , surgery , anatomy , kinematics , physics , genetics , classical mechanics , quantum mechanics , biology
Objective Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is associated with altered body structure and function outcomes that may expose youth with JIA to a greater risk of secondary joint injury. This study aimed to examine differences in vertical drop jump (VDJ) biomechanics for youth with JIA and healthy youth (control group). Methods The present study was a matched pair cohort study. Youth with JIA (n = 30) and their age‐ and sex‐matched control peers participated in this ethics‐approved study. Lower‐extremity biomechanics information was obtained using a motion analysis system (Motion Analysis) and 2 force plates (AMTI). Biomechanics outcomes included hip, knee, and ankle joint angles, ground reaction forces (GRF), and VDJ phase durations. Other outcomes included disease activity, physical disability, and sports participation. Matched pairs data (JIA–control) were analyzed using a multivariate random coefficient model (version 3.5.0, R Core Team; joint angles, potential confounders) and paired samples t ‐tests with Bonferroni correction (α = 0.0125; GRF, VDJ phase durations). Results Youth with JIA had low disease activity, pain, and disability scores. Youth with JIA maintained a more erect posture at the hip (β = –4.0°, P = 0.004), knee (β = 7.5°, P = 0.004) and ankle (β = –2.6°, P = 0.001). GRF and phase durations outcomes did not meet criteria for significant differences. Knee extension increased with participant age (β = –1.0°, P = 0.002), while female participants displayed greater hip flexion (β = –6.6°, P = 0.001) and less ankle dorsiflexion (β = 2.3°, P = 0.006). Conclusion This study provides evidence for a stiff knee landing strategy by youth with JIA. These findings inform targets for physical therapy management to mitigate the risks of a secondary joint injury in sports participation.