Impact and shock attenuation during landing activities from different heights on different surfaces

Author

Yeon-Joo Yu

Date of Award

5-2001

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Human Performance and Sport Studies

Major Professor

Songning Zhang

Committee Members

Wendell Liemohn, David R. Bassett

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine impact shock attenuation during landing activities from different heights on different surfaces. Thirteen healthy and active subjects performed five trials of step-off landing from four different heights (30,45,60, and 75 cm) in shod and barefoot. Ground reaction forces (GRF), accelerations of the tibia and forehead, and kinematic data were sampled simultaneously. Increased heights caused increases in angular kinematic variables (range of motions, contact and maximum angular velocities of the ankle, knee, and hip joints). Few significant changes in kinematics were observed across the surface conditions. The first maximum GRF (F1) showed a trend of greater values in the shoe landing than that in the barefoot landing, with significant difference found at 75 cm. The second maximum GRF (F2) demonstrated a trend of greater values in the barefoot conditions than those in the shoe conditions. Greater F1 and F2 values were observed with increases in landing heights. The maximum head acceleration (AccHead) showed few significant changes in across the heights and surfaces. The first tibia acceleration (AccTibia1) was generally greater in the shoe conditions than that in the barefoot conditions. On the other hand, the second tibia acceleration (AccTibia2) displayed a trend of greater values in the barefoot conditions than that in the shod conditions, with significant difference found at 60 and 75 cm. The shock attenuation index (Attelndex) in the barefoot conditions was significantly greater than that in the shoe conditions at all landing heights. The results suggested that the shoe provided an additional cushion to minimize impact forces and attenuate impact shock during the landing activities.

Recommended Citation

Yu, Yeon-Joo, "Impact and shock attenuation during landing activities from different heights on different surfaces. " Master's Thesis, University of Tennessee, 2001.
https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_gradthes/9761