The Comparison of Lower Extremity Malalignment during Hurdle pre-Flight and Traditional Approach at Forward Diving Straight

Abstract

Background: Approach on the diving springboard provides the initial conditionsfor the disturbance in the stability of the base of support. The present study is acorrelational study conducted to obtain complete and accurate information byexamining “the relationship between diving score and dynamic malalignmentof Hip, Knee, and Ankle on a 1 m springboard by elite male divers.”Methods: In the present cross-sectional study, the subjects of this study were the12 top divers of the Iranian League Championship in summer 2016. The passiveor reflective markers were attached to the posterior surface of subjects’ bodies.The subjects performed Forward Diving Straight (FDS) technique in one of twoways, either the “Hurdle Pre-Flight” or “Hurdle Flight”, and the head coachgave them scores. The x and y coordinates of each marker were estimated usingKINOVEA software. The relationship among the performance score of “FDS”and dynamic malalignment of Ankle, Knee, and Hip joints in the frontal planeat each step was determined using “Generalized Estimating Equation” (GEE)with the “Identity Function” and the “Normal Distribution”.Results: The Results of GEE modeling showed that there was a significant inverserelationship between FDS score and “L. The mean ankle inversion in the (Hurdlepre-Flight) HPF approach was higher than Traditional (TRD). There was asignificant inverse relationship between the FDS score and “L. Hip Add.” Theresults of GEE modeling showed that there was a significant difference betweenmean scores of TRD-FDS (4.39±0.33) and HPF-FDS (5.67±0.33) approach(P=0.000)Conclusion: There was a significant inverse relationship between FDS score and“Ankle Eversion/ Eversion, Knee and Hip Abduction/ Adduction” in Swing orStance Leg.

Keywords

• diving
• posture
• malalignment