The Effect of External and Combined Focus Instructions on Lower Extremity and Trunk Kinetic and Kinematic Parameters During Landing in Young Female Athletes With Asymptomatic Dynamic Knee Valgus - A Randomized Controlled Trial

Summary

Female athletes are at higher risk of knee injuries, particularly non-contact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, often caused by dynamic knee valgus during landing. Proper landing techniques and neuromuscular training are crucial for injury prevention. Attentional focus strategies, such as external focus (EF) and internal focus (IF), can influence movement patterns, muscle activation, and skill transfer during landing tasks. EF generally promotes safer and more controlled landings, while IF offers certain kinematic benefits. However, real-world sports often require a combination of attentional strategies, and the effects of combined EF + IF instructions on landing mechanics and muscle activation have not been fully studied. This study will investigate the effects of EF and combined attentional focus instructions on lower extremity and trunk movement, muscle activation, and skill transfer in young female athletes with asymptomatic dynamic knee valgus. The investigators aim to determine whether combined attentional focus training provides greater improvements in landing mechanics, muscle activation, and skill transfer than EF training alone.

Description

Eligibility

Age range

18–30 years

Sex

Female

Healthy volunteers

Yes

Interventions

• Other
  Single-Leg Drop Vertical Jump

  Single-Leg Drop Vertical Jump test will be performed with the dynamic knee valgus leg.

• Other
  Combined Focus of Attention Instruction

  \- Combined focus group: "When you land, keep your knee over your toes while directing your knee toward the cone."

• Other
  External Focus of Attention Instruction

  \- External focus group: "When you land, direct your movement toward the cone placed on your side."

• Other
  No instruction

  Control group: No specific instructions.

Location