Different modes of feedback and peak vertical ground reaction force during jump landing: a systematic review.

CONTEXT: Excessive ground reaction force when landing from a jump may result in lower extremity injuries. It is important to better understand how feedback can influence ground reaction force (GRF) and potentially reduce injury risk.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of expert-provided (EP), self-analysis (SA), and combination EP and SA (combo) feedback on reducing peak vertical GRF during a jump-landing task.

DATA SOURCES: We searched the Web of Science database on July 1, 2011; using the search terms ground reaction force, landing biomechanics, and feedback elicited 731 initial hits.

STUDY SELECTION: Of the 731 initial hits, our final analysis included 7 studies that incorporated 32 separate data comparisons.

DATA EXTRACTION: Standardized effect sizes and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated between pretest and posttest scores for each feedback condition.

DATA SYNTHESIS: We found a homogeneous beneficial effect for combo feedback, indicating a reduction in GRF with no CIs crossing zero. We also found a homogeneous beneficial effect for EP feedback, but the CIs from 4 of the 10 data comparisons crossed zero. The SA feedback showed strong, definitive effects when the intervention included a videotape SA, with no CIs crossing zero.

CONCLUSIONS

Of the 7 studies reviewed, combo feedback seemed to produce the greatest decrease in peak vertical GRF during a jump-landing task.