Sagittal plane kinematic differences between dominant and non-dominant legs in unilateral and bilateral jump landings

• Limb dominance does not affect unilateral landing mechanics.
• Small differences exist between limbs at initial contact in bilateral landings.
• Dominance affects total excursion of lower extremity joints in bilateral landings.

ContextIn both research and clinical settings there is an assumption of symmetry between limbs in landing. However, development of a preferred limb side is a natural occurrence. It is not well established how limb dominance affects landing mechanics in a unilateral or bilateral landing.ObjectiveTo investigate sagittal plane mechanics between dominant and non-dominant legs in both unilateral and a bilateral landing tasks.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingLaboratory environment.Participants148 male athletes.Main outcome measuresSagittal plane kinematics (hip, knee, and ankle flexion) at initial contact and maximum knee flexion, and total excursion of the movement.ResultsNo significant differences were found between limbs in the unilateral landing. Knee flexion (p = 0.02) and hip flexion (p = 0.00) were significantly different between dominant and non-dominant limbs at initial contact in the bilateral landing. Knee flexion total excursion (p = 0.04) and hip flexion total excursion (p = 0.03) in the bilateral landing were also significantly different between limbs.ConclusionsLower limb symmetry was observed for the unilateral landing. Minimal, yet significant, asymmetries (less than 2°) were present during the bilateral landing. This finding justifies the continued use of the dominant limb in research and clinical settings.