Kinetic Analysis of Ground Reaction Forces During Post-Jump Landing in Volleyball and the Role of Joint Loading in Predicting Lower-Limb Injuries

Introduction: Landing after a jump is a mechanically demanding phase in volleyball and is strongly associated with lower‑limb injuries, particularly those affecting the knee and ankle. Kinetic variables such as ground reaction forces (GRF), loading rate, center of pressure (COP), and joint moments are essential indicators for distinguishing safe from high‑risk landing patterns. This study aimed to analyze landing kinetics and examine the role of joint loading in predicting lower‑limb injury risk in volleyball players.Methods: Twenty elite volleyball players performed spike, block, and countermovement jumps. Vertical, anterior–posterior, and mediolateral GRF, initial and peak loading rate, COP displacement, and knee and hip joint moments were recorded using force plates and inverse dynamics. Independent t‑tests, one‑way ANOVA, and multiple regression were used to assess group differences and identify predictors of injury risk.Results: Vertical GRF was significantly higher in the high‑risk landing group (p = ۰.۰۱۱). Initial loading rate also increased (p = ۰.۰۰۹). Medioloateral COP displacement was greater in high‑risk landings (p = ۰.۰۲۴). Knee abduction moment was significantly elevated (p = ۰.۰۱۷). Spike jumps produced the highest GRF and loading rate (p = ۰.۰۱۵). Regression analysis identified loading rate (p = ۰.۰۰۸), vertical GRF (p = ۰.۰۱۳), and knee abduction moment (p = ۰.۰۱۹) as significant predictors, explaining ۴۶% of injury‑risk variance (R² = ۰.۴۶).Conclusion: Kinetic parameters are critical for identifying hazardous landing mechanics. Increased GRF, loading rate, and joint moments substantially elevate lower‑limb injury risk. These findings support developing prevention strategies focused on force control, improved load absorption, and optimized landing technique.

کلیدواژه ها:

Ground reaction force ، Loading rate ، Joint moment ، Center of pressure ، ACL injury