Kinematic classification of iliotibial band syndrome in runners

Several inconsistent causative biomechanical factors are considered to be crucial in the occurrence of iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS). The focus of this study was on assessing differences in the kinematic characteristics between healthy runners [control group (CO)] and runners with ITBS in order to recommend treatment strategies to deal with this injury. Three‐dimensional kinematics of barefoot running was used in the biomechanical setup. Both groups were matched with respect to gender, height and weight. After determining drop outs, the final population comprised 36 subjects (26 male and 10 female): 18 CO and 18 ITBS (13 male and five female, each). Kinematic evaluations indicate less hip adduction and frontal range of motion at the hip joint in runners with ITBS. Furthermore, maximum hip flexion velocity and maximum knee flexion velocity were lower in runners with ITBS. Lack of joint coordination, expressed as earlier hip flexion and a tendency toward earlier knee flexion, was found to be another discriminating variable in subjects with ITBS compared with CO subjects. We assume that an increase in range of motion at the hip joint, stretching of the hip abductors, as well as stretching the hamstrings, calf muscles and hip flexors will help treat ITBS.     

The biomechanical variables involved in the aetiology of iliotibial band syndrome in distance runners – A systematic review of the literature

The aim of this literature review was to identify the biomechanical variables involved in the aetiology of iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS) in distance runners. An electronic search was conducted using the terms “iliotibial band” and “iliotibial tract”.The results showed that runners with a history of ITBS appear to display decreased rear foot eversion, tibial internal rotation and hip adduction angles at heel strike while having greater maximum internal rotation angles at the knee and decreased total abduction and adduction range of motion at the hip during stance phase. They further appear to experience greater invertor moments at their feet, decreased abduction and flexion velocities at their hips and to reach maximum hip flexion angles earlier than healthy controls. Maximum normalised braking forces seem to be decreased in these athletes. The literature is inconclusive with regards to muscle strength deficits in runners with a history of ITBS. Prospective research suggested that greater internal rotation at the knee joint and increased adduction angles of the hip may play a role in the aetiology of ITBS and that the strain rate in the iliotibial bands of these runners may be increased compared to healthy controls.A clear biomechanical cause for ITBS could not be devised due to the lack of prospective research.     

Do novice runners have weak hips and bad running form?

First, we sought to better understand the predisposition of novice female runners to injury by identifying potential differences in running mechanics and strength between experienced female runners and active novice runners. Secondly, we aimed to assess the relationship between hip and trunk strength with non-sagittal hip kinematics during running. Two female populations were recruited: 19 healthy experienced runners and 19 healthy active novice runners. Strength measurements of the hip abductors and external rotators were measured using a hand held dynamometer while trunk endurance was assessed via a side-plank. Next, an instrumented gait analysis was performed while each participant ran at 3.3 m/s. Group comparisons were made using an independent t-test to identify differences in the impact peak, loading rate, peak non-sagittal hip joint angles, trunk endurance, and hip strength. Pearson's correlation coefficients were calculated between hip kinematics and strength measurements. There were no statistically significant differences in impact peak, loading rate, peak non-sagittal hip kinematics, or strength. However, the novice runners did show a clinically meaningful trend toward increased peak hip internal rotation by 3.8° (effect size 0.520). A decrease in trunk side-plank endurance was associated with an increased peak hip internal rotation angle (r = −0.357, p = 0.03), whereas isometric strength was not related to kinematics. Programs aiming to prevent injuries in novice runners should target trunk performance and possibly hip neuromuscular control, rather than hip strength.     

Kinematic risk factors for lower limb tendinopathy in distance runners: A systematic review and meta-analysis

IntroductionAbnormal kinematics have been implicated as one of the major risk factors for lower limb tendinopathy (LLT).ObjectiveTo systematically review evidence for kinematic risk factors for LLT in runners.MethodsIndividual electronic searches in PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science were conducted. Two reviewers screened studies to identify observational studies reporting kinematic risk factors in runners with LLT compared to healthy controls. The Down and Black appraisal scale was applied to assess quality. A meta-analysis was performed provided that at least two studies with similar methodology reported the same factor.ResultsTwenty-eight studies were included: Achilles tendinopathy (AT) (9), iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS) (17), plantar fasciopathy (PF) (2), patellar tendinopathy (PT) (1), posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) (1). Eighteen studies were rated high-quality and ten medium-quality. The meta-analyses revealed strong evidence of higher peak knee internal rotation, moderate evidence of lower peak rearfoot eversion and knee flexion at heel strike and greater peak hip adduction in runners with ITBS. Very limited evidence revealed higher peak ankle eversion in runners with PF and PTTD or higher peak hip adduction in PT.SignificancePeak rearfoot eversion was the only factor reported in all included LLTs; it is a significant factor in ITBS, PT and PTTD but not in AT and PF. More prospective studies are needed to accurately evaluate the role of kinematic risk factors as a cause of LLT. Taken together, addressing rearfoot kinematic and kinematic chain movements accompanied by peak eversion should be considered in the prevention and management of LLT.     

Stiffness of the iliotibial band and associated muscles in runner’s knee: Assessing the effects of physiotherapy through ultrasound shear wave elastography

ObjectivesTo test the hypothesis that Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS) is caused by excessive iliotibial band (ITB) tension, promoted by hip abductor and external rotator weakness, and evaluate the influence of 6 weeks of physiotherapy on ITB stiffness.DesignInterventional study with control group.SettingClinical.Participants14 recreational runners with ITBS and 14 healthy controls of both sexes.Main outcome measuresUltrasound shear wave elastography, hip muscle strength, visual analog scale pain, subjective lower extremity function.ResultsNo statistical differences in ITB tension between legs as well as between patients suffering from ITBS and healthy controls were detected. Results showed significant strength deficits in hip abduction, adduction as well as external and internal rotation. Following six weeks of physiotherapy, hip muscle strength (all directions but abduction), pain and lower extremity function were significantly improved. ITB stiffness, however, was found to be increased compared to baseline measurements.ConclusionShear wave elastography data suggest that ITB tension is not increased in the affected legs of runners with ITBS compared to the healthy leg or a physical active control group, respectively. Current approaches to the conservative management of ITBS appear ineffective in lowering ITB tone.     

The influence of maturation and sex on pelvis and hip kinematics in youth distance runners

ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate differences in stance phase pelvic and hip running kinematics based on maturation and sex among healthy youth distance runners.DesignCross-Sectional.Methods133 uninjured youth distance runners (M = 60, F = 73; age = 13.5 ± 2.7 years) underwent a three-dimensional running analysis on a treadmill at a self-selected speed (2.8 ± 0.6 m·s^?1). Participants were stratified as pre-pubertal, mid-pubertal, or post-pubertal according to the modified Pubertal Maturational Observation Scale. Stance phase pelvis and hip range of motion (RoM) and peak joint positions were extracted. Two-way ANCOVAs (sex, maturation; covariate of running velocity) were used with Bonferroni-Holm method to control for multiple comparisons with a target alpha level of 0.05.ResultsA two-way interaction between sex and maturation was detected (p = 0.009) for frontal plane pelvic obliquity RoM. Post-hoc analysis identified a maturation main effect only among females (p?0.008). Pelvic obliquity RoM was significantly greater among post-pubertal (p = 0.001) compared to pre-pubertal females. Significant main effects of sex (p = 0.02), and maturation (p = 0.01) were found for hip adduction RoM. Post-hoc analysis indicated a significant increase in hip adduction RoM from pre-pubertal to post-pubertal female runners (p = 0.001). A significant main effect of sex was found for peak hip adduction angle (p = 0.001) with female runners exhibiting greater maximum peak hip adduction compared to males.ConclusionsMaturation influences pelvic and hip kinematics greater in female than male runners. Sex differences became more pronounced during later stages of puberty. These differences may correspond to an increased risk for running-related injuries in female runners compared to male runners.     

Do hip strength,flexibility and running biomechanics predict dynamic valgus in female recreational runners?

BackgoundDynamic valgus has been the focus of many studies to identify its association to an increased risk of running-related injuries. However, it is not known which physical and biomechanical variables are associated with this movement dysfunction. Research question: This study aimed to test the correlation between strength, flexibility and biomechanical variables and dynamic valgus in female runners.MethodsTwenty-nine healthy females ran on a treadmill at 2.92 m/s and performed strength, range of motion and endurance tests. Pelvic, hip and ankle kinematics were measured with a 3D motion analysis system. Six multiple linear regression models were used to identify the ability of physical and biomechanical variables to predict excursion and peak of contralateral pelvic drop, hip adduction and internal rotation.ResultsContralateral pelvic drop and hip adduction were positively correlated to ankle eversion and step cadence. Hip internal rotation had a negative correlation with ankle eversion. Despite significance, predictor variables explained less than 30% of dynamic valgus variance during running. No interest variable had significant correlation with the hip strength and hip and ankle passive range of motion.SignificanceThe results showed that distal joint kinematics and spatiotemporal variables should be considered during biomechanical running analysis to identify their possible relationship with joint overload caused by dynamic valgus. Caution should be taken when linking hip disorders during running to posterolateral hip strength and stiffness, core endurance, and ankle dorsiflexion range of motion since no correlation occurred amongstthese variables in this sample of female runners.     

Changes in gluteal muscle forces with alteration of footstrike pattern during running

Gait retraining is a common form of treatment for running related injuries. Proximal factors at the hip have been postulated as having a role in the development of running related injuries. How altering footstrike affects hip muscles forces and kinematics has not been described. Thus, we aimed to quantify differences in hip muscle forces and hip kinematics that may occur when healthy runners are instructed to alter their foot strike pattern from their habitual rear-foot strike to a forefoot strike. This may gain insight on the potential etiology and treatment methods of running related lower extremity injury. Twenty-five healthy female runners completed a minimum of 10 running trials in a controlled laboratory setting under rear-foot strike and instructed forefoot strike conditions. Kinetic and kinematic data were used in an inverse dynamic based static optimization to estimate individual muscle forces during running. Within subject differences were investigated using a repeated measures multi-variate analysis of variance. Peak gluteus medius and minimus and hamstring forces were reduced while peak gluteus maximus force was increased when running with an instructed forefoot strike pattern. Peak hip adduction, hip internal rotation, and heel-COM distance were also reduced. Therefore, instructing habitual rearfoot strike runners to run with a forefoot strike pattern resulted in changes in peak gluteal and hamstring muscle forces and hip kinematics. These changes may be beneficial to the development and treatment of running related lower extremity injury.     

The immediate effects of Kinesio Taping on running biomechanics,muscle activity,and perceived changes in comfort,stability and running performance in healthy runners,and the implications to the management of Iliotibial band syndrome

BackgroundKinesio Taping is frequently used in the management of lower limb injuries, and has been shown to improve pain, function, and running performance. However, little is known about the effects of Kinesio Taping on running biomechanics, muscle activity, and perceived benefits.Research questionThis study aimed to explore the immediate effects of Kinesio Taping on lower limb kinematics, joint moments, and muscle activity, as well as perceived comfort, knee joint stability, and running performance in healthy runners.MethodsTwenty healthy participants ran at a self-selected pace along a 20-metre runway under three conditions; no tape (NT), Kinesio Tape with tension (KTT), and Kinesio tape without tension (KTNT). Comparisons of peak hip, knee angles and moments, and EMG were analysed during the stance phase of running.ResultsKTT exhibited significant increases in peak hip flexion, peak hip abduction and hip external rotation compared to NT. Moreover, the KTT condition showed a trend towards a decrease in peak hip internal rotation and adduction angle compared to the NT condition. EMG results showed that Tensor Fascia Latae activity decreased with KTT compared with NT, and Gluteus Maximus activity reduced with KTNT when compared with NT. Ten of the 20 participants indicated important improvements in the comfort score, six participants in the knee stability score, and seven participants in the running performance score when using KTT.SignificanceThese results suggest that changes in running biomechanics previously associated with ITBS can be improved with the application of kinesio tape, with the greatest effect seen with the application of kinesio tape with tension. Perceived improvements were seen in comfort, stability and running performance, however these benefits were only seen in half the participants. Further work is required to explore the biomechanical effects and perceived benefits in different patient groups.     

Gender differences in the kinematics of unanticipated cutting in young athletes

PURPOSE: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries occur at a greater rate in adolescent females compared with males who participate in the same pivoting and jumping sports. The purpose of this study was to compare knee and ankle joint angles between males and females during an unanticipated cutting maneuver. The hypotheses were that female athletes would display increased knee abduction, increased ankle eversion and decreased knee flexion during the unanticipated cutting maneuver compared with males. METHODS: Fifty-four male and 72 adolescent female middle and high school basketball players volunteered to participate in this study. Knee and ankle kinematics were calculated using three-dimensional motion analysis during a jump-stop unanticipated cut (JSUC) maneuver. RESULTS: Females exhibited greater knee abduction (valgus) angles compared with males. Gender differences were also found in maximum ankle eversion and maximum inversion during stance phase. No differences were found in knee flexion angles at initial contact or maximum. CONCLUSION: Gender differences in knee and ankle kinematics in the frontal plane during cutting may help explain the gender differences in ACL injury rates. Implementation of dynamic neuromuscular training in young athletes with a focus on frontal plane motion may help prevent ACL injuries and their long-term debilitating effects.     

Lower extremity mechanics of iliotibial band syndrome during an exhaustive run

Injury patterns in distance running may be related to kinematic adjustments induced by fatigue. The goal was to measure changes in lower extremity mechanics during an exhaustive run in individuals with and without a history of iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS). Sixteen recreational runners ran to voluntary exhaustion on a treadmill at a self-selected pace. Eight runners had a history of ITBS. Twenty-three reflective marker positions were recorded by an eight-camera 120 Hz motion capture system. Joint angles during stance phase were exported to a musculoskeletal model (SIMM) with the iliotibial band (ITB) modeled as a passive structure to estimate strain in the ITB. For ITBS runners, at the end of the run: (1) knee flexion at heel-strike was higher than control (20.6 degrees versus 15.3 degrees, p=0.01); (2) the number of knees with predicted ITB impingment upon the lateral femoral epicondyle increased from 6 to 11. Strain in the ITB was higher in the ITBS runners throughout all of stance. Maximum foot adduction in the ITBS runners was higher versus control at the start of the run (p=0.003). Maximum foot inversion (p=0.03) and maximum knee internal rotation velocity (p=0.02) were higher versus control at the end of the run. In conclusion, ITB mechanics appear to be related to changes in knee flexion at heel-strike and internal rotation of the leg. These observations may suggest kinematic discriminators for clinical assessment.     

Prospective analysis of intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors on the development of Achilles tendon pain in runners

There are currently no generally accepted, consistent results that clearly characterize factors causing Achilles tendon pain (AT) in runners. Therefore, we carried out a prospective study to evaluate the multifactorial influence of clinical, biomechanical (isometric strength measurements and three‐dimensional kinematics) and training‐related risk factors on the development of AT. Two hundred sixty‐nine uninjured runners were recruited and underwent an initial examination. One hundred forty‐two subjects completed their participation by submitting training information on a weekly basis over a maximal period of 1 year. Forty‐five subjects developed an overuse injury, with 10 runners suffering from AT. In an uninjured state, AT runners already demonstrated decreased knee flexor strength and abnormal lower leg kinematics (sagittal knee and ankle joint) compared with a matched control group. A relationship between years of running experience or previous overuse injuries and the development of new symptoms could not be established. The interrelationship of biomechanical and training‐specific variables on the generation of AT is evident. A combination of alterations in lower leg kinematics and higher impacts caused by fast training sessions might lead to excessive stress on the Achilles tendon during weight bearing and thus to AT in recreational runners.     

The effects of marathon running on three-dimensional knee kinematics during walking and running in recreational runners

BackgroundRunning-related musculoskeletal injuries are common. Knee injuries are most frequent, and often occur during or shortly after marathons.Research questionThe effects of a marathon on runners’ knee kinematics remain unclear. No studies have shown comprehensive three-dimensional (3D) knee kinematic changes following a marathon. This study aimed to observe the effects of running a marathon on 3D knee kinematics and identify the phases of walking and running gait in which significant changes occur.MethodsBased on an electronic survey, 10 healthy, recreational runners (20 knees) with similar running experience were included. Their 3D knee kinematics (during treadmill walking and running) were collected using a portable, optical motion capture system within 24 h before and within 6 h after running a marathon.ResultsAll measurements after the marathon were compared with pre-marathon measurements. (1) For walking post-marathon: varus rotation increased by 1.8° [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.1–3.4, P = 0.036] at peak knee extension during stance; anterior translation increased by 2.2 mm (95% CI 0.3–4.1, P = 0.025) at initial contact; range of motion (ROM) in internal-external rotation increased less than 1°, P = 0.023; ROM in anteroposterior translation increased by 3.8 mm, P = 0.048. (2) For running post-marathon: flexion rotation increased by 1.6° (95% CI 0.2–2.9, P = 0.025) at initial contact; varus rotation increased by 2.0° (95% CI 0.2–3.8, P = 0.031) at peak knee extension during stance.SignificanceSignificant differences in varus rotation and anterior translation were identified following a marathon, which could potentially contribute to injury. These results provide important information for runners and coaches about knee kinematic alterations following a marathon.     

Assessment of biomechanical deficits in individuals with a trans-tibial amputation during level gait using one-dimensional statistical parametric mapping

BackgroundMost previous studies reported biomechanical deficits in individuals with a trans-tibial amputation (TTA) during gait using zero-dimensional analyses. However, these analyses do not allow to precisely determine during which part of the gait cycle these deficits occur. There is a need to use more appropriate methods to map the differences, such as one-dimensional statistical parametric mapping.Research questionWhat are the most relevant phases of the gait cycle during which the biomechanical deficits in TTA occur?MethodsEight TTA and 15 healthy counterparts (CON) underwent one biomechanical gait analysis. Pelvis, hip, knee and ankle kinematics, total support moment (TSM) and gastrocnemius lateralis, vastus lateralis and tibialis anterior muscle activity were compared between the amputated (AmLL), the intact (InLL) and the control (CnLL) lower limbs using one-dimensional statistical parametric mapping.ResultsMore ankle dorsiflexion and knee flexion were observed for the AmLL compared to the InLL and CnLL (ankle only) from the end of the stance phase to the beginning of the swing phase. Less knee flexion was also found for the AmLL during early stance phase. More pelvis posterior tilt and rotation toward the contralateral limb was observed during most of the gait cycle for the AmLL compared to the InLL. TSM was smaller for the AmLL compared to the CnLL during early stance phase.SignificanceUsing a one-dimensional statistical parametric mapping approach for TTA gait analysis, this study provides novel insights on their biomechanical gait deficits compared to CON. Greater reliance on the InLL was observed in TTA as suggested by the asymmetric kinematic and kinetic profiles.     

Physical activity and age-related biomechanical risk factors for knee osteoarthritis

BackgroundKnee osteoarthritis (OA) is a highly prevalent disease leading to mobility disability in the aged that could, in part, be initiated by age-related alterations in knee mechanics. However, if and how knee mechanics change with age remains unclear.Research questionWhat are the impacts of age and physical activity (PA) on biomechanical characteristics that can affect the loading environment in the knee during gait?MethodsThree groups (n = 20 each, 10 male and 10 female) of healthy adults were recruited: young (Y, 21–35 years), mid-life highly active (MHi, 55–70 years, runners), and mid-life less active (MLo, 55–70 years, low PA). Outcome measures included knee kinematics and kinetics and co-activation during gait, and knee extensor muscle torque and power collected at baseline and after a 30-minute treadmill trial to determine the impact of prolonged walking on knee function.ResultsAt baseline, high-velocity concentric knee extensor power was lower for MLo and MHi compared with Y, and MLo displayed greater early (6.0 ± 5.8 mm) and peak during stance (11.3 ± 7.8 mm) femoral anterior displacement relative to the tibia compared with Y (0.2 ± 5.6 and 4.4 ± 6.8 mm). Also at baseline, MLo showed equal quadriceps:hamstrings activation, while Y showed greater relative hamstrings activation during midstance. The walking bout induced substantial knee extensor fatigue (decrease in maximal torque and power) in Y and MLo, while MHi were fatigue-resistant.SignificanceThese results indicate that maintenance of PA in mid-life may impart small but measurable effects on knee function and biomechanics that may translate to a more stable loading environment in the knee through mid-life and thus could reduce knee OA risk long-term.     

Hip abductor weakness is not the cause for iliotibial band syndrome

Muscular deficits in the hip abductors are presumed to be a major factor in the development of Iliotibial Band Syndrome in runners. No definite relationship between muscular weakness of the hip abductors and the development of Iliotibial Band Syndrome or different ratios between hip adduction to abduction have been reported so far. Isokinetic measurements were taken from 10 healthy runners and 10 runners with Iliotibial Band Syndrome. Primary outcome variables were concentric, eccentric, and isometric peak torque of the hip abductors and adductors at 30 degrees/s, and a concentric endurance quotient at the same angle velocity. Differences in muscle strength of the hip abductors between healthy (CO) and injured runners (ITBS) were not statistically significant in any of the muscle functions tested. Both groups showed the same strength differences between hip adduction and abduction, and increased strength in hip adduction. Weakness of hip abductors does not seem to play a role in the etiology of Iliotibial Band Syndrome in runners, since dynamic and static strength measurements did not differ between groups, and differences between hip abduction and adduction were the same. Strengthening of hip abductors seems to have little effect on the prevention of Iliotibial Band Syndrome in runners.     

Gender differences in the knee joint loadings during gait

BackgroundThe differences in anatomical structure between men and women are widely known. Unfortunately, the influence of gender on the biomechanics of a healthy knee joint during gait is still poorly understood.Research questionThe aim of the presented study was to determine loads acting in the knee joint during gait, based on the observation of a large group of healthy young adults, in particular to determine the influence of gender on values of forces and moments and their time characteristics during gait cycle.MethodsTime-spatial gait parameters and ground reaction force were registered for 86 persons (43 females and 43 males) using a motion capture system and force plates. The numerical simulation with the AnyBody system was used to estimate loadings acting in the knee joint. Differences between women and men were tested using the unpaired Student's t-test with a Bonferroni correction.ResultsThe maximum values of loadings acting in the knee joint were: 411.1 %BW (body weight) for resultant force, 390.6 %BW for proximo-distal force, 110.8 %BW for antero-posterior force, 77.0 %BW for medio-lateral force, 2.63 %BWh (body weight times height) for flexion/extension moment, 0.97 %BWh for internal/external rotation moment and 5.7 %BWh for abduction/adduction moment. In general, the normalised forces were greater in the male group, while the normalised external moments acting on the knee were greater in the female group. Local extrema of forces during the stance phase were observed earlier for women.SignificanceKnowledge about gender differences in loadings acting in the knee joint can be of great importance in the case of detecting the early stages of gait abnormalities and treatment planning.     

Calculating gait kinematics using MR-based kinematic models

Rescaling generic models is the most frequently applied approach in generating biomechanical models for inverse kinematics. Nevertheless it is well known that this procedure introduces errors in calculated gait kinematics due to: (1) errors associated with palpation of anatomical landmarks, (2) inaccuracies in the definition of joint coordinate systems. Based on magnetic resonance (MR) images, more accurate, subject-specific kinematic models can be built that are significantly less sensitive to both error types. We studied the difference between the two modelling techniques by quantifying differences in calculated hip and knee joint kinematics during gait. In a clinically relevant patient group of 7 pediatric cerebral palsy (CP) subjects with increased femoral anteversion, gait kinematic were calculated using (1) rescaled generic kinematic models and (2) subject-specific MR-based models. In addition, both sets of kinematics were compared to those obtained using the standard clinical data processing workflow. Inverse kinematics, calculated using rescaled generic models or the standard clinical workflow, differed largely compared to kinematics calculated using subject-specific MR-based kinematic models. The kinematic differences were most pronounced in the sagittal and transverse planes (hip and knee flexion, hip rotation). This study shows that MR-based kinematic models improve the reliability of gait kinematics, compared to generic models based on normal subjects. This is the case especially in CP subjects where bony deformations may alter the relative configuration of joint coordinate systems. Whilst high cost impedes the implementation of this modeling technique, our results demonstrate that efforts should be made to improve the level of subject-specific detail in the joint axes determination.     

Gender differences in frontal and sagittal plane biomechanics during drop landings

PURPOSE: To determine gender differences in lower-extremity joint kinematics and kinetics between age- and skill-matched recreational athletes. METHODS: Inverse dynamic solutions estimated the lower-extremity flexion-extension and varus-valgus kinematics and kinetics for 15 females and 15 males performing a 60-cm drop landing. A mixed model, repeated measures analysis of variance (gender (*) joint) was performed on select kinematic and kinetic variables. RESULTS: Peak hip and knee flexion and ankle dorsiflexion angles were greater in females in the sagittal plane (group effect, P < 0.02). Females exhibited greater frontal plane motion (group (*) joint, P = 0.02). Differences were attributed to greater peak knee valgus and peak ankle pronation angles (post hoc tests, P = 0.00). Females exhibited a greater range of motion (ROM) in the sagittal plane (group main effect, P = 0.02) and the frontal plane (group (*) joint, P = 0.01). Differences were attributed to the greater knee varus-valgus ROM, ankle dorsiflexion, and pronation ROM (post hoc tests). Ground reaction forces were different between groups (group (*) direction, P = 0.05). Females exhibited greater peak vertical and posterior (A/P) force than males (post hoc tests). Females exhibited different knee moment profiles (Group main effect, P = 0.01). These differences were attributed to a reduced varus moment in females (post hoc tests). CONCLUSION: The majority of the differences in kinematic and kinetic variables between male and female recreational athletes during landing were observed in the frontal plane not in the sagittal plane. Specifically, females generated a smaller internal knee varus moment at the time of peak valgus knee angulation.