The effect of a 3-month prevention program on the jump-landing technique in basketball: a randomized controlled trial.

CONTEXT: In jump-landing sports, the injury mechanism that most frequently results in an injury is the jump-landing movement. Influencing the movement patterns and biomechanical predisposing factors are supposed to decrease injury occurrence.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the influence of a 3-mo coach-supervised jump-landing prevention program on jump-landing technique using the jump-landing scoring (JLS) system.

DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial.

SETTING: On-field.

PARTICIPANTS: 116 athletes age 15-41 y, with 63 athletes in the control group and 53 athletes in the intervention group.

INTERVENTION: The intervention program in this randomized control trial was administered at the start of the basketball season 2010-11. The jump-landing training program, supervised by the athletic trainers, was performed for a period of 3 mo.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The jump-landing technique was determined by registering the jump-landing technique of all athletes with the JLS system, pre- and postintervention.

RESULTS: After the prevention program, the athletes of the male and female intervention groups landed with a significantly less erect position than those in the control groups (P < .05). This was presented by a significant improvement in maximal hip flexion, maximal knee flexion, hip active range of motion, and knee active range of motion. Another important finding was that postintervention, knee valgus during landing diminished significantly (P < .05) in the female intervention group compared with their control group. Furthermore, the male intervention group significantly improved (P < .05) the scores of the JLS system from pre- to postintervention.

CONCLUSION: Malalignments such as valgus position and insufficient knee flexion and hip flexion, previously identified as possible risk factors for lower-extremity injuries, improved significantly after the completion of the prevention program. The JLS system can help in identifying these malalignments.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapy, prevention, level 1b.