The effects of differing sensory stimuli on landing mechanics during dual-tasking scenarios.

Scott, Luke and Lauder, Bob (2024) The effects of differing sensory stimuli on landing mechanics during dual-tasking scenarios. Masters thesis, Lancaster University.

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Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Non-contact Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries are an increasingly common injury within sports. However, research into how cognitive-motor dual-tasking, the act of simultaneously performing a cognitive and a motor task, affects landing mechanics is still in its relative infancy. Therefore, this study aims to investigate how presenting the cognitive stimuli via different sensory methods, including auditory which to this point has not been included in any previous dual-task research, affects common landing injury risk predictors during a vertical drop landing. Methods: 30 participants (20 male, 10 female) performed a sports-simulating chest pass with a ball, similar to what would be seen in Netball or Basketball, following a vertical drop landing (VDL) from a 45cm box. The passing direction was given to participants mid-air via four different methods: a control, a visual stimulus, an auditory stimulus, and a simultaneous visual & auditory stimulus. Two-dimensional kinematics and kinetics were measured during 8 successful trials in each of the four conditions with the use of two cameras and dual-force platforms. The practical effects of differing stimuli on sporting performance were also assessed through the measurement of participants' total time to pass (TTP). Results: Significant differences were shown between the control condition and the simultaneous visual & auditory stimulus, with decreases in peak ground reaction force (2.50 ± 0.526 vs 2.32 ± 0.558) relative to the participant’s body weight and increases in peak knee valgus angle (8.51 ± 14.0° vs 12.5 ± 16.0°) in participants’ right leg. Significant decreases were also found between auditory stimuli and all other conditions in participant's TTP. Conclusion: The presence of a combination of visual and auditory stimuli altered the performance during both the cognitive and motor tasks. The presentation of Light & Sound simultaneously as a stimulus altered participants' landings with a decrease in force and an increase in peak knee valgus angle which are associated with a safer landing technique and potentially reduce injury risk. These findings may have implications for both the prediction and rehabilitation of lower limb injuries when including dual-tasking as a training method.