Knee Biomechanics in Individuals With a Recent Concussion During Jump-Landing Tasks

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Neurology
• Biomechanics

Background:

• Incomplete neurological recovery after concussion is linked to higher lower extremity musculoskeletal injury risk.
• Jump-landing tasks with cognitive demands may reveal insights into post-concussion neurological recovery and injury risk.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare unilateral knee biomechanics during jump-landing tasks with varying motor and cognitive demands between individuals with recent concussion and matched controls.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study was conducted in a biomechanics laboratory.
• 26 college students with recent concussion and 26 healthy controls performed jump-landing tasks.
• Knee biomechanics (angles, moments, ground reaction forces) and limb symmetry were assessed during landing.

Main Results:

• No significant group differences in knee biomechanics or limb symmetry were found, except for lower nondominant peak posterior ground reaction force in the concussion group.
• Both groups showed altered biomechanics with increased cognitive load and during single-leg vs. double-leg landings.

Conclusions:

• Individuals with a recent concussion exhibited similar knee biomechanical profiles to healthy controls during jump-landing tasks, even with added cognitive demands.
• Jump-landing biomechanics may not be sensitive enough to detect elevated lower extremity injury risk post-concussion.