GENDER DIFFERENCES IN CHANGE OF DIRECTION MANEUVERS WITH LONG AXIS ROTATION: A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION

Females seem to have a greater predisposition to knee injuries than males (Harmon & Ireland, 2000). One extrinsic factor may be the cutting technique in a turn with long axis rotation, a movement that leaves an individual prone to knee injury. Thirty-six male and twenty female college athletes performed maximal effort changes in direction at 90 and 180 degrees. Different vertical and shear ground reaction forces were found between genders. When comparing data by gender and condition differences were found between the 900 and 1800 turns for all variables. More important, gender and condition interaction effects were found. Females exhibited greater relative vertical and anteroposterior braking forces with increased long axis rotation. Gender differences in ground reaction forces may suggest differences in technique which may be associated with increased injury risk