Training of Falling Techniques on Landing Mechanics

The overall purpose of this study is to quantify the effect and retention of one-week training of falling techniques on landing biomechanics associated with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) loading compared to soft-landing techniques in young recreational athletes. The secondary purpose is to assess the safety of the training program. Aim 1: To quantify the effect of one-week training of falling techniques on landing biomechanics during forward, lateral, vertical, and diagonal landings compared to soft-landing techniques. We hypothesize that falling techniques will result in increased knee flexion angles and decreased landing forces, knee abduction and internal rotation angles, and knee moments for all landing directions compared to soft-landing techniques immediately after the training. Aim 2: To assess the retention effects of the falling techniques on landing biomechanics compared to soft landings. We hypothesize that the effects of falling techniques on ACL loading variables will be more highly retained compared to soft-landing techniques two weeks after the training. Aim 3: To identify the safety of the training program. We hypothesize that participants can complete the training without suffering minor, moderate, or major injuries, while occasional minor bruises might be observed.