Abstract
The pelvic-hip complex serves as a central component in the kinetic chain, facilitating load distribution and linking the upper and lower body. Prior research has indicated that atypical pelvic tilt (PT) is associated with compensatory activation in surrounding musculature, however the relationship between PT and landing mechanics is sparse. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between landing mechanics and PT in Division I male and female student athletes. METHODS: During a preseason screening, 331 student athletes (167 male: 19.9 ± 1.5 y, 1.8 ± 0.1 m, 82.5 ± 11.4 kg and 164 female: 19.7 ± 1.7 y, 1.7 ± 0.1 m, 66.4 ± 9.5 kg) completed a standardized jump-landing task and evaluation of PT following clearance to participate by the Head Athletic Trainer. The Landing Error Scoring System (LESS) was used to evaluate landing mechanics during the standardized jump-landing task (no errors = LESS0, errors = LESS1). To assess PT, athletes stood in a quarter squat position. Athletes were classified as normal if an anterior PT was observed. If no tilt was visible, a physical therapist stood behind the athlete and provided vertical compression by placing their hands on the athlete’s shoulders. If the athlete was able to go into an anterior PT, they were classified with compromised stability, and if not, compromised mobility. Relationship between LESS and PT performance was examined with a Chi-squared test, using SPSS version 30 (IBM Corp) and an alpha significance level of p < 0.05 (n > 5 in each cell). RESULTS: A significant relationship between LESS and PT performance was shown for males [χ2 (2, N = 167) = 7.731, p = 0.021], but no significant relationship was observed for females [χ2 (2, N = 164) = 0.538, p = 0.764]. CONCLUSION: Impaired pelvic mobility and stability in males may lead to compensatory landing strategies, potentially increasing musculoskeletal injury risk from abnormal force distribution during landing. This highlights the importance of adequate pelvic and hip complex mobility and stability for optimal performance and injury risk reduction. However, the PT assessment relied on visual observation and manual compression, which may lack the precision of more objective measures, potentially introducing measurement bias and affecting the reliability of the findings.
Recommended Citation
Calovini, Admar; Wang, David; Sell, Katie; Karas, Lia; Leek, Cristina; Shaver, Kelly; Gonzalez, Adam; Ghigiarelli, Jamie; and Pottorf, Ofra
(2025)
"Relationship Between Pelvic Tilt and Landing Mechanics in Division I Male and Female Student Athletes,"
International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 15:
Iss.
6, Article 19.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol15/iss6/19