Kinematic and Electromyography Analysis of the Knee Function in Non-trained Healthy Subjects Through a Single-Leg Drop Landing Test

Knee joint performance in elite and amateur athletes has been studied; however, scarce information has been reported on non-trained subjects. The single-leg drop landing is used to assess knee biomechanics. A method used to assess knee function is 3D motion capture and superficial electromyography (sEMG). The aim of this study was to analyze kinematics and EMG in lower limbs in healthy, non-trained individuals when performing the single-leg drop landing test. Seventy subjects (30 M, 40 F) were recruited. sEMG was recorded bilaterally in the Vastus Medialis, Vastus Lateralis, Rectus Femoris, and Semitendinosus. Root Mean Square, Area Under the Curve, and Mean Frequency were calculated for both legs. Seventeen reflective markers were placed bilaterally in the lower limbs to assess knee kinematics. Range of motion and angular velocity were determined. A statistical difference between males and females was found in the RMS in the Vastus Medialis (p = 0.019). The rest of the sEMG and kinematics parameters evaluated had no statistical differences between the right and left leg and sexes. sEMG and kinematics parameters on healthy populations could be useful to create baseline values to predict knee injuries and compare them with knee-injured populations in future studies.