Major and Classification
Biomedical Engineering
Faculty Mentor
Susan Sigward, Ph.D., PT, ATC
Department
Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy
McNair Project
“A Biomechanics Study on the Variability of Lower Extremity Joint Angles in the Sagittal Plane”
Project Abstract
The purpose of this study is to explore what factors may moderate the gender differences that exist in lower extremity joint kinematics during drop landings from 36-cm heights. In the design of this study, participants completed four trials at the drop height. The subjects included 65 female participants (height = 157.1 ± 11.4 cm, mass = 50.798 ± 12.730 kg) and 59 male participants (165.2 ± 16.0 cm, 58.316 ± 17.410 kg) took part in this study. Results show that there is a significant negative correlation between female height and hip flexion angle. There is a significant between gender difference in peak hip flexion angle. There is significant difference between shorter and taller females in peak hip flexion and peak knee flexion angles; shorter females reported higher peak angles in both measures. No significant correlations or between group differences for shorter and taller males. BMI was found to be the most prevalent factor in describing the gender difference in hip flexion angles. In conclusion, the existence of a gender difference and a group difference for females makes tall females the most at risk group. BMI plays the largest role in explaining the between gender difference. Ground reaction force measurements are needed to make conclusions about true injury frequency.