Do Active-Duty Air Force Personnel With Recent Lower-Body Musculoskeletal Injury Profiles Have Reduced Jump Performances?

Abstract

Abstract: Merrigan, JJ, Ray, N, Barrett, K, O'Connor, M, Smith, R, Walters, JR, Hagen, J, Eckerle, J, and Briggs, R. Do active-duty air force personnel with recent lower-body musculoskeletal injury profiles have reduced jump performances? J Strength Cond Res 39(6): 695-704, 2025-This study aimed to evaluate jump performance in active-duty Air Force service members with recent limited duty profiles because of lower-body musculoskeletal injury or pain (LDP). Eighty-five participants reported LDP, whereas 719 participants reported no lower extremity pain or musculoskeletal injury (No-LDP) within the previous 6 months. Jump assessments consisted of 3 maximal effort arm-swing countermovement jumps (ASCMJs), no arm-swing countermovement jumps (CMJs), bilateral repeated hop test (BHT), CMJs with a weighted vest (LCMJ), and drop jumps (DJ), in that order, on dual force plates. Perceived levels of pain and impaired function were greater in LDP than No-LDP ( p < 0.05). During ASCMJ, LDP (131.07 ± 46.27 N × cm -1 ) had greater peak landing forces than No-LDP (118.49 ± 43.01 N × cm -1 ; p = 0.042, ES = -0.089). For LCMJ, jump height (LDP = 24.34 ± 6.33; No-LDP = 26.55 ± 7.91 cm; p = 0.040; ES = -0.087) and modified reactive strength index (LDP = 24.51 ± 8.59; No-LDP = 27.46 ± 9.85 cm × second -1 ; p = 0.026; ES = -0.100) were lower, whereas peak landing forces (LDP = 174.98 ± 56.01; No-LDP = 158.5 ± 55.5 N × cm -1 ; p = 0.017; ES = 0.101) were greater in LDP than No-LDP. During DJ, No-LDP had higher jump heights (LDP = 25.09 ± 7.09 cm; No-LDP = 27.83 ± 8.73 cm; p = 0.034; ES = -0.091), less passive stiffness (LDP = 11,822.5 ± 4,865.2 N × m; No-LDP = 10,773.2 ± 6,546.0 N × m; p = 0.034; ES = 0.096), and less peak drop landing forces (LDP = 3,572.3 ± 991.4.4 N; No-LDP = 3,282.0 ± 1,011.1 N; p = 0.024; ES = 0.105). Individuals with a recent LDP presented ineffective landing abilities and lower jump heights during more difficult jumping tasks. Therefore, a comprehensive assessment is encouraged to help inform return to duty timelines and ensure adequate recovery and preparedness for full duty.