Comparison of Biomechanical Factors between the Kicking and Stance Limbs

Abstract

Objective: T o determine differences between contralateral limbs’ strength, proprio-ception, and kinetic and knee-kinematic variables during single-limb landing. Setting: Laboratory. Subjects: 30. Measurements: Hip, knee, and foot isokinetic peak torques; anterior/posterior (AP) and medial/lateral (ML) sway displacements during a balance task; and stabilization times, vertical ground-reaction force (VGRF), time to peak VGRF, and knee-flexion range of motion (ROM) from initial foot contact to peak VGRF during single-limb landing. Results: The kicking limb had significantly greater values for knee-extension ( P = .008) and -flexion ( P = .047) peak torques, AP sway displacement ( P = .010), knee-flexion ROM from initial foot contact to peak VGRF ( P < .001), and time to peak VGRF ( P = .004). No other dependent measures were significantly different between limbs ( P > .05). Conclusion: The kicking limb had superior thigh strength, better proprioception, and greater knee-flexion ROM than the stance limb.