Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Context Clinical assessments of landing mechanics often require complex scoring systems or laboratory-based motion analysis, which can limit feasibility in routine practice. A visually based landing-mechanics score centered on a standardized optimal joint-alignment configuration (“Zero Position”) may offer a simple, clinically deployable alternative. Objective To determine the intra- and inter-rater reliability of a landing mechanics score based on standardized optimal joint alignment at the moment of maximal center-of-mass (COM) descent. Design Cross-sectional reliability study. Setting University athletic training facility. Patients or Other Participants Ninety healthy male collegiate athletes. Main Outcome Measures Landing mechanics were evaluated using frontal- and sagittal-plane video recordings, with scoring performed on the frame corresponding to maximal COM descent. Five criteria reflecting the standardized joint configuration (“Zero Position”) were assessed. Intra- and inter-rater reliability were calculated using Cohen’s kappa coefficients and Kendall’s W. Results All five criteria demonstrated moderate to substantial intra-rater reliability and moderate to almost perfect inter-rater reliability. The total landing-mechanics score showed excellent agreement across all comparisons. The scoring system required minimal training and was feasible to implement using standard video recordings. Conclusions The landing-mechanics score centered on the Zero Position demonstrated high reliability and strong clinical feasibility. This simple, visually grounded assessment may support routine clinical screening, injury-risk evaluation, and return-to-sport decision-making. Future research should examine its applicability to single-leg landings and sport-specific high-risk movements.
Source: medRxiv
Institution: Ashiya Central Hospital
Language: English
Subfield: Surgery
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7128909040