Open AccessGround Reaction Force Comparison Between Barefoot and Shod Single Leg Landing at Varied Heights
Author(s) -
Jocelyn E. Arnett,
Cameron D. Addie,
Ludmila Cosío-Lima,
Lee E. Brown
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
international journal of kinesiology and sports science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2202-946X
DOI - 10.7575/aiac.ijkss.v.9n.4p.29
Subject(s) - barefoot , ground reaction force , repeated measures design , physical therapy , medicine , force platform , physical medicine and rehabilitation , mathematics , physics , kinematics , statistics , classical mechanics
Background: Landing is a common movement that occurs in many sports. Barefoot research has gained popularity in examining how shoes alter natural movements. However, it is unknown how a single leg landing under barefoot conditions, as well as landing height, affects ground reaction forces (GRF). Objective: The purpose of this research was to examine the differences in GRF during a single leg landing under barefoot and shod conditions from various heights. Methods: Sixteen female Division II collegiate athletes, 8 basketball (age: 19.88 ± 0.64 yrs; height: 1.77 ± 0.09 m; mass: 75.76 ± 12.97 kg) and 8 volleyball (age: 20.00 ± 1.07 yrs; height: 1.74 ± 0.08 m; mass: 72.41 ± 5.41 kg), performed single leg landings from 12, 18, 24, and 30 inches barefoot and shod. An AMTI AccuGait force plate was used to record GRF. A 2 (condition) x 4 (box height) x 2 (sport) repeated measures ANOVA was performed to determine any GRF differences. Results: There were no significant three way or two-way interactions (p > 0.05). There was also no main effect for sport (p > 0.05). There were main effects for footwear and box height (p = 0.000) where shod (2295.121 ± 66.025 N) had greater impact than barefoot (2090.233 ± 62.684 N). Conclusions: Single leg barefoot landings resulted in less vertical GRF than shod landings. This could be due to increased flexion at the joints which aids in force absorption.