Objective To describe the biomechanical strategies during the landing phase of vertical jumps in volleyball players with or without patellar tendinopathy. Design Cross-sectional observational study. Setting Field-based study. Participants Twenty-three elite volleyball players, 9 of whom where symptomatic for patellar tendinopathy (PT; Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Patella (VISA-P) score =80). Main outcome measures Participants performed 4 types of vertical jumps: squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump without/with hands (CMJNH/CMJWH), and drop jump (DJ). Landing biomechanics were recorded using inertial measurement units and force platforms. Results The PT group exhibited greater maximal knee flexion angles during CMJNH and DJ (p = 0.02 and p = 0.02; Hedges' g = -0.92 and -1.01, respectively), along with increased knee sagittal plane range of motion across CMJNH, CMJWH, and DJ (p = 0.007, p = 0.04, and p = 0.05; Hedges' g = -1.16, -0.85, and -0.88, respectively). Additionally, the PT group demonstrated higher rates of velocity decrease during CMJWH and DJ (p = 0.015 and p = 0.005; Hedges` g = -0.97 and -1.17, respectively). Conclusions This study highlighted key knee joint kinematics differences in PT athletes during jump landing. Future applications may include early detection of the pathology, before functional impairments develop. Highlights • Players with patellar tendinopathy tend to use a load-avoiding strategy during landing. • The Countermovement jump without hands best identifies kinematic alterations in tendinopathic players. • Xsens IMU effectively detects landing differences linked to patellar tendinopathy.
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