The Effects of a 12-Week Training Multicomponent Exercise Program on Landing Mechanics in Recreational Athletes

This study investigated the impacts of a 12-week training program on kinetic parameters during landings in non-professional recreational athletes.

Fifty-seven non-elite recreational athletes performed three unilateral-landing trials from a 30 cm high structure on a force platform. The following outcome measures were analyzed: the ground reaction forces at initial ground contact (PF1) and the highest value (PF2), impulse (change in the moment of force during landing), stabilization time, and ankle and knee accelerations. The ground reaction forces, momentum, and accelerations were evaluated in the vertical, medio-lateral, and anteroposterior axes. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups. The experimental group (EG) underwent a 12-week intervention, three times per week, consisting of various exercises, such as strength, eccentric, proprioceptive, whole-body vibration (WBV), and neuromuscular exercises. After 12 weeks, the same outcome measures were analyzed.

The effects of the training program on vertical ground reaction forces were not clear (0.3% and 0.9%, respectively). Medio-lateral (64.8%, d = 0.51) and anteroposterior (43.9%, d = 1.34) forces were probably reduced due to the training program. The stabilization time was also reduced in the experimental group (44.2%). The training program most likely decreased the vertical impulse (47.3%, d = -1.56), whereas the total ankle acceleration increased (18.4%, d = 0.79).

The findings reveal significant improvements in neuromuscular control and stability during landings, specifically demonstrating reduced medio-lateral forces, vertical momentum, and acceleration during monopodal landings. This study focuses on the importance of proper landing techniques in minimizing the risk of knee injuries, emphasizing the falling strategy's role in injury prevention.