Altered landing strategy during vertical jump tasks in elite volleyball players with patellar tendinopathy.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the biomechanical strategies during the landing phase of vertical jumps in volleyball players with or without patellar tendinopathy.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional observational study.

SETTING

Field-based study.

PARTICIPANTS

Twenty-three elite volleyball players, 9 of whom where symptomatic for patellar tendinopathy (PT; Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Patella (VISA-P) score ≤80).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Participants performed 4 types of vertical jumps: squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump without/with hands (CMJNH/CMJWH), and drop jump (DJ). Landing biomechanics were recorded using inertial measurement units and force platforms.

RESULTS

The PT group exhibited greater maximal knee flexion angles during CMJNH and DJ (p = 0.02 and p = 0.02; Hedges' g = -0.92 and -1.01, respectively), along with increased knee sagittal plane range of motion across CMJNH, CMJWH, and DJ (p = 0.007, p = 0.04, and p = 0.05; Hedges' g = -1.16, -0.85, and -0.88, respectively). Additionally, the PT group demonstrated higher rates of velocity decrease during CMJWH and DJ (p = 0.015 and p = 0.005; Hedges' g = -0.97 and -1.17, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlighted key knee joint kinematics differences in PT athletes during jump landing. Future applications may include early detection of the pathology, before functional impairments develop.