Kinetics Assessment of Foot Injury Risk During Vertical Jump with Varying Heights at Barefoot Condition

Abstract

Objective: Understand how certain kinetic variables change during vertical jumping from different heights in barefoot condition. Methods: Twenty healthy, physically fit male and female adults were selected for the experiment. Mean age, height, and weight of male participants were 20.08 ± 1.230 years, 174 ± 1.071 cm, and 70.57 ± 3.002 kg; for female participants, mean age, height, and weight were 19.14 ± 1.027 years, 155 ± 0.048 cm, and 52.56 ± 5.461 kg, respectively. Experiments started with barefoot forefoot jumping from two different heights, 33 cm and 49 cm. Initial contact force (N), initial contact time (s), max force (N), max force time (s), stabilization force (N), time from max force to max force before stabilization (s), and time from max force to stabilization force (s) during jumps were measured using a Kistler portable force plate and studied in the MARS Quarter performance analysis software. Results: Barefoot jumping data showed a scattered pattern for all selected parameters. Maximum force reached 3960.05 ± 2125.255 N at 33 cm and 4844.25 ± 2259.230 N at 49 cm. In a previous study, the average peak force measured was 4640 N. A 50% chance of fracture was linked to an impact of 3562 N, which is very close to the figure found in this study. Stabilization force reached 584.40 ± 106.308 N at 33 cm and 583.35 ± 99.881 N at 49 cm, with a correspondence of 0.56 ± 0.149 s and 0.66 ± 0.258 s, respectively. Minimum force achieved before stabilization was 341.0 N at 33 cm and 320.70 N at 49 cm. Regression analysis of these parameters showed a low R-squared value and a random fit plot. Conclusion: According to our findings, jumping barefoot from a 49 cm height produces a higher impact on the forefoot than a 33 cm jump, except for initial contact and stabilization force. Before stabilization, the time from max force to max force before stabilization significantly affects stability during take-off, potentially preventing injury by allowing for a smoother transition between the eccentric (braking) and concentric (propulsion) phases. This data can help improve sports and kids’ footwear to lower the risk of foot injuries. Level of evidence IV; Economic and decision analyses – developing an economic or decision model.