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. 2017 Mar 1;17(1):409-416.

Sex differences in kinetic and neuromuscular control during jumping and landing

G Márquez  1 , L M Alegre, D Jaén, L Martin-Casado, X Aguado
Affiliations

Sex differences in kinetic and neuromuscular control during jumping and landing

G Márquez et al. J Musculoskelet Neuronal Interact. .

Abstract

In the present study, we analysed the kinetic profile together with the lower limb EMG activation pattern during a countermovement jump and its respective landing phase in males and females. Twenty subjects (10 males and 10 females) took part in the study. One experimental session was conducted in order to record kinetic and electromyographic (EMG) parameters during a countermovement jump (CMJ) and the subsequent landing phase. During the CMJ, males recorded a higher (p<0.001) performance than females in terms of jump height and power production. Stiffness values were lower in males than females due to greater centre of mass displacement during the countermovement (p<0.01). According to the EMG activity, males demonstrated greater (p<0.05) activation during the concentric phase of the jump. However, females revealed a higher co-contraction ratio in the plantar flexors during the push-off phase. During landings males showed higher (p<0.01) peak ground reaction forces (Fpeak), greater (p<0.05) stiffness and a higher maximal displacement of the CoM (p<0.05) than females. EMG analysis revealed greater EMG activity in the tibialis anterior (p<0.05) and rectus femoris (p=0.05) muscles in males. Higher plantar flexor co-activation during landing has also been found in males. Our findings demonstrated different neuromuscular control in males and females during jumping and landing.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Normalised EMG values (%MVC) of the tibialis anterior (TA) gastrocnemius medialis (GM), vastus lateralis (VL), rectus femoris (RF) and biceps femoris (BF) muscles during the countermovement jump (left panel) and its landing (right panel) performed by females (dark grey bars) and males (light grey bars). * Significant differences between females and males.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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