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Gender differences during landings after jumping

Abstract:

Purpose: To analyse, in a population of applicants to a Faculty of Sports Sciences, the kinetics of the push off, flight and landing phases in a jump test, and to study the differences between men and women. Methodology: The jumps of 180 applicants to a faculty of Sports Sciences (132 men, mean age: 19.8±3.0 years, and 48 women, mean age: 19.6±3.3 years) were recorded with a Quattro Jump Kistler force plate. Vertical ground reaction forces and the position of the centre of gravity in a counter movement jump were analysed. Results: The men's group reached higher heights of the centre of gravity during the flight phase (men = 35.77±4.55 cm, women = 26.08±3.33 cm; p < 0.001) and greater vertical forces in the second peak of the landing phase (F2) (men = 7.41±2.20 BW, women = 5.72±1.82 BW; p < 0,001) (BW = body weight). Women showed greater vertical displacement of the centre of gravity during the landing phase (men = 10.21±2.26% of subject's height, women = 10.84±2.21%; p < 0.05). The values of F2 in the population studied have been greater than those found in other studies performed with higher landing heights, but with the aim of maximal softening. Conclusions: The results of the present study support the necessity of prophylactic interventions to teach proper landing techniques among specific populations. The greater values of F2 in the men's group could have be caused by the higher landing heights and the shorter vertical displacement of the centre of gravity during the landing phase, compared to the women's group.