Effect of Sex on the Coordination Patterns of Athletes During Dynamic Activities

Current research has largely focused on the specific actions of individual joints while neglecting the overall pattern of motion and interaction between body segments. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare coordination patterns between man and woman collegiate athletes during static and dynamic activities. Thirty healthy collegiate division-one man and woman athletes participated. They completed a battery of tasks, including the single-leg squat and lateral step-downs while three-dimensional kinematics of the pelvis, thigh, knee, and shank were collected. Using a dynamic systems analysis, coordination patterns were calculated and statistically compared between the sexes. Additionally the stability of the patterns across multiple trials were compared. The results revealed distinct task dependent patterns within each plane of motion however no sex dependent patterns. The underlying etiology for sex related differences requires further study. This information will ultimately contribute to advancing the scientific rationale for neuromuscular training programs striving to prevent injuries.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science in Sport Management (M.S.)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis (open access)

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Department of Health and Kinesiology

Year dc:date.available

2005

Author dc:creator

• Barnett, Corrie Lynn

Contributors dc:contributor

• Barry Munkasy
• Steve Elliott

• ETD
• Sex differences
• Coordination patterns
• Dynamic systems analysis
• Single leg squat
• Lateral step down
• Static limb characteristics
• Athletics

Repository record dc:identifier

https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/etd/74

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu:etd-1074