Background Attention has turned to the role of the overall kinetic chain function within the development of lower extremity (LE) injury, however few longitudinal studies have been conducted so far.

Objective To prospectively determine kinetic chain related risk factors for the development of lower extremity (LE) injury in women.

Design Prospective cohort design.

Setting Department of Physical Education at the University of Ghent, Belgium.

Participants Ninety healthy, female physical education students aged 19.33±0.87 years were tested.

Assessment of Risk Factors Kinematic and VGRF parameters were measured during a triple hop jump (THJ). Cox regression analysis was used to identify the kinetic chain related risk factors for the development of LE injury.

Main Outcome Measurements The LE injury follow-up was assessed using a weekly online questionnaire and a three-monthly retrospective control questionnaire. LE injury was diagnosed by an experienced medical doctor.

Results Thirty-five participants were diagnosed with a LE injury. The results of this study identified that in the sagittal plane, decreased dynamic range of motion (ROM) of the pelvis segment (P=0.043) and increased dynamic ROM of the knee and ankle joint (P=0.041 and P=0.028 respectively) during landing phase are predictive parameters for the development of LE injury in females. No VGRF parameters were found to be of predictive value.

Conclusions The pattern of decreased ROM of the pelvis segment in the sagittal plane combined with increased ROM of knee and ankle joint in the sagittal plane during landing phase, can be seen as decreased ability of equally absorbing forces throughout the kinetic chain during the landing phase of the THJ, which might lead to LE injury.