SECTION I - KINESIOLOGY / RESEARCH PAPER
Sex Differences in Force-Time Curve Characteristics during Single-Leg Drop Jumps with Increased Drop Heights
1
Graduate School of Sport Sciences, Waseda University, Japan
2
Faculty of Sport Sciences, Waseda University, Japan
Submission date: 2025-04-07
Final revision date: 2025-08-06
Acceptance date: 2026-03-10
Online publication date: 2026-07-24
Corresponding author
KEYWORDS
vertical ground reaction forceanterior cruciate ligament injuriessex factorssingle-leg drop jumpforce-time curve
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
This study examined sex differences in force-time curve metrics during single-leg drop jumps (SLDJ) from 20 cm and 30 cm drop heights. Forty participants (26 males, 14 females) performed SLDJs, assessing jump height, reactive strength index (RSI), and force-time curve characteristics. The force-time curve was categorized as poor (presence of an impact peak and a non-spring-like), moderate (impact peak with a spring-like), or good (no impact peak with a spring-like). While jump height and RSI were unaffected, peak force (η²ₚ = 0.202, p < 0.001) and its timing (η²ₚ = 0.184, p < 0.01) increased with height. Only females exhibited reduced spring-like correlation at 30 cm (η²ₚ = 0.200, p < 0.001) and greater force reduction from peak force to lowest center of mass displacement (η²ₚ = 0.052, p < 0.001). At 30 cm, 14.3% of females had a poor force-time curve, compared to 0% of males. Females exhibited distinct biomechanical responses to higher drop heights, highlighting the need for sex-specific injury prevention strategies.
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| eISSN: | 1899-7562 |
| ISSN: | 1640-5544 |
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