Differences in landing biomechanics between adolescent athletes with anterior knee pain and healthy controls.

Background: The aim of this study was to identify differences in the landing biomechanics of adolescent athletes with anterior knee pain (AKP) compared with healthy controls.

Methods: Ten adolescent athletes with AKP and 10 healthy controls performed landing tasks in order to analyze 3D lower-extremity joint angles, moment, and power, ground reaction force (GRF), and vertical stiffness. Time-series data were analyzed from initial contact (0%) to the point of maximum knee flexion (100%) using ensemble curve analyses, while discrete points were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U Test.

Results: The AKP group exhibited greater peak vertical GRF (vGRF), higher loading rates, and shorter time to peak vGRF (P<0.05) compared with controls. Ensemble curve analyses revealed greater vGRF (6-11%) in the AKP group. Sagittal plane examinations revealed the AKP group to have reduced plantar flexion angles (0-2%), dorsiflexion angles (43-100%), plantar flexor moments (11-100%), ankle shock absorption (17-20%, 23-38%, 56-59%), and knee extensor moments (51-89%) in the AKP group. Moreover, the AKP group exhibited greater knee shock absorption (14-18%), hip power generation (10-12%), and hip shock absorption (97-100%). In the frontal plane, AKP was associated with increased evertor moment (1-3%), knee valgus angle (0-6%), and hip abductor moment (6-8%). Transverse plane analysis showed the hip external-rotator moment to be greater (22-24%) among the AKP group.

Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate the effects of AKP on landing biomechanics in adolescent athletes. These insights reveal potential injury mechanisms and may serve as a guide for the development of rehabilitation strategies.