Comparison of Single-Leg Drop Landing Motor Control Strategies from Biomechanical Data between Young Athletes with Normal and Flatfeet

Knowing the changes of motor control strategies during landing provide well understanding to preventing knee injuries in people with flatfeet. Hence, the purpose of the present study was to compare the motor control strategies using lower limb joints power in different phases of single leg drop landing between athletes with flatfeet and normal foot.

A total of 10 individuals were randomly selected from among athletes with flatfeet and 10 were randomly selected from among athletes with normal foot. Lower limb joints power in three motion plates was recorded according to data from kinematic and kinetic motion analysis and force plate. Data was analyzed using Matlab and SPSS softwares and running independent t-test (p < 0/05).

There was a significant difference in knee power in sagital plane )P=0/003( in initial contact phase )IC(, knee power in sajital plane )P=0/0001(, and Thigh power in horizontal plane )P=0/05( in pick of knee flexion, Thigh power in sagital plane )P=0/022( in pick of ground reaction force between flat foot and a normal foot. However, there was no significant difference in joints in the other phases and plates between the two groups.

The results of our study study showed that significant differences were observed in Knee and Hip powers in sagital plane in three phases, which shows the impact transfere to the upper joints from incapability in lower joints in flatfeet people. This could be a major factor for foot injuries in the individuals with flat foot. The results of the current study can help better organizing a rehabilitation program and activities for those with flatfeet.