Kevin Dames, Kinesiology Department, and Gwyneth Laukaitis, kinesiology major, were coauthors on research published in Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal. Their project, “Collegiate Female Lacrosse Players Demonstrate Asymmetry in Sideways Hop Landing Kinetics,” was funded through a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship.
The research involved Division III lacrosse athletes performing medial and lateral hops onto a force platform using their self-reported dominant and nondominant limbs. Medial hops challenged anterior-posterior and vertical postural control more than lateral hops, as demonstrated by longer times to stabilization, which was also associated with larger vertical and medial-lateral peak forces and loading rates. Their findings highlight the importance of evaluating direction-specific landing coordination deficits in female lacrosse athletes which can inform strength and condition programs intended to reduce injury risk.