Analysis of Lower Limb Joint Force Transmission during a Drop Vertical Jump: A Comparison between Healthy Adults and Volleyball Players

Abstract

[Purpose] To clarify how peak joint forces are transmitted during a drop vertical jump (DVJ) in healthy adults and volleyball players. [Participants and Methods] The participants were 10 male healthy adults and 8 male volleyball players. The task was performing a DVJ from a 30-cm platform. The equipment used were a three-dimensional motion analyzer and a floor reaction force meter. The analysis focused on the peak values and peak times of jump height and lower limb joint moments/forces. [Results] At the peak time of lower limb joint force, no significant differences were observed in the hip or knee joint among healthy adults, whereas volleyball players showed a significant delay in the hip, knee, and ankle joints, in this order. [Conclusion] The results revealed that in volleyball players performing a DVJ, the transmission of peak joint forces occurs sequentially from the hip to knee joint, and from the knee to ankle joint.