Relationship Between the Results of the Landing Error Scoring System and Trunk Muscle Thickness.
Yuki Muramoto, Hironobu Kuruma
PMID 39229453WHAT IT FOUND
Gymnasts with higher landing error scores had significantly less change in deep trunk muscle thickness during a plank.
This suggests poor deep trunk muscle activation may contribute to risky landing mechanics, warranting assessment of core stability in athletes with landing deficits.
Key findings
01Athletes classified as high-risk for injury by the Landing Error Scoring System (LESS) showed significantly lower percent change in thickness of the internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles during a plank compared to low-risk athletes.
02Multiple regression analysis identified the percent change in thickness of the transversus abdominis and internal oblique muscles as the only significant factor associated with LESS scores.
03There were no significant differences in resting muscle thickness between high-risk and low-risk groups, indicating the deficit is in muscle activation/change during load rather than baseline size.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
The study was cross-sectional, so it cannot prove that poor trunk muscle activation causes landing errors or injury risk. Muscle thickness was measured during a static plank, not during the actual dynamic landing movement. The sample consisted only of gymnasts, whose landing techniques are highly specific, limiting generalizability to other sports like basketball or soccer. The study did not track actual injuries, relying on LESS scores as a proxy for risk. The sample size for the high-risk group was small (n=13).
Declared interests
None declared.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that increasing trunk muscle size will improve landing mechanics. The study found no difference in resting thickness between groups; the deficit was in the change in thickness during activation. Focus on neuromuscular control and bracing strategies rather than hypertrophy.