Movement Technique During Jump-Landing Differs Between Sex Among Athletic Playing Surfaces

Pryor, JL, Burbulys, ER, Root, HJ, and Pryor, RR. Movement technique during jump-landing differs between sex among athletic playing surfaces. J Strength Cond Res 36(3): 661-666, 2022-Whether athletic surface type affects movement technique, a causal factor for lower extremity injury, is unclear. This study evaluated the influence of 4 common athletic surfaces on movement technique using the Landing Error Scoring System (LESS). Secondarily, we aimed to evaluate differences in movement technique between men and women among surfaces. Recreationally active men and women (n = 38) completed jump-landing tests on 4 common athletic surfaces in a quasi-randomized crossover fashion. Vertical jump height, perceptual fatigue, and muscle soreness were evaluated before jump-landing movement analyses and were similar across testing sessions (p > 0.05). Men achieved higher LESS scores on hardwood and artificial pellet turf compared with women (p ≤ 0.037). Women exhibited lower LESS scores on grass and artificial turf vs. concrete (p ≤ 0.048). Data indicate differential lower extremity movement technique and therefore injury risk across athletic surface types and sex, challenging the generalizability of the LESS construct. Athletic playing surface should be considered during movement technique assessment and implementation of injury prevention programs.