Sports biomechanics: A biomechanical modelling approach to understanding the physical demands of impact landings

The article presents a biomechanical research approach used to develop understanding of the influence of a sports performer’s mass profile, which includes measures of the relative proportion of soft and hard (rigid) tissues in the body, on the mechanical demands experienced in potentially injurious impact landings. Epidemiological research regarding injury rates of landings frequently performed in sport is used to inform and develop the study rationale. A contemporary simulation modelling approach, which facilitates manipulation of individual elements of a performer’s mass profile, is developed and applied within the study. Findings relating to the contribution of individual mass profile characteristics (e.g., thigh mass proportions) to external impact loading are appraised to inform the inherent mechanisms that may predispose a performer to lower limb injury in a commonly executed sports manoeuvre.