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Published on: June 12, 2009
Evaluating the relationship between the landing error scoring system and single leg squat in ROTC cadets
Julie P Burland1, Ryan Nguyen2, Michael Sarnelli2
1University of Connecticut, Department of Kinesiology, United States; UConn Institute for Sports Medicine, United States.
Objectives:
To evaluate the correlation between the Landing Error Scoring System (LESS) and single leg squat (SLS) in assessing neuromuscular control deficits in Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) Cadets.
Design:
Cross-sectional observational study.
Setting:
University gymnasium.
Participants:
Fifty-six ROTC members (Age, 20.16 ± 1.7 years; sex, 20 females, 36 males; height, 68.78 ± 3.32 inches; mass, 73.65 ± 12.98 kg; dominant limb length; 89.83 ± 5.1 cm) completed 3 jump-landings and 5 SLS trials.
Main Outcome Measures:
The jump-landing and SLS were recorded using PhysiMax markerless motion capture, and errors in the frontal and sagittal planes were automatically graded on a dichotomous scale.
Results:
Average LESS scores were 5.36 ± 2.93 errors, while SLS errors were 3.93 ± 1.03 (left) and 4.30 ± 1.73 errors (right). No significant associations were found between LESS and SLS errors, including medial knee displacement errors in frontal plane or any sagittal plane errors.
Conclusions:
The LESS and SLS likely capture different aspects of neuromuscular control due to task differences. Clinicians should utilize both screening methods to identify high-risk movements.

