Differences in cutting biomechanics between landing error scoring system risk groups among male collegiate athletes

INTRODUCTION: Non-contact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries typically occur during landing and cutting maneuvers and are strongly associated with maladaptive lower-limb biomechanics. The Landing Error Scoring System (LESS) is a practical screening tool for identifying movement patterns that are related to a risk of ACL injury during landing tasks; however, its ability to reflect biomechanical characteristics during cutting maneuvers remains unclear. This study compared lower-limb biomechanics during cutting between LESS-based risk groups. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, thirty male collegiate athletes were classified into low risk (LESS ≤ 5) and high risk (LESS > 5) groups. Three-dimensional motion analysis and force plates were used to assess hip, knee, and ankle kinematics and kinetics during 20° cutting. RESULTS: The high-risk group demonstrated greater hip abduction at the initial contact (p = 0.13, ES = 0.56), whereas the low-risk group showed a more positive peak knee transverse plane angle during the first 40% of the stance (p = 0.04, ES = 0.75). Moreover, the high-risk group showed a trend toward greater knee abduction (p = 0.06, ES = 0.70) and lower ankle dorsiflexion (p = 0.06, ES = 0.71). No significant differences were observed in peak vertical ground reaction force (p = 0.67, ES = 0.15). CONCLUSIONS: LESS is useful for assessing both landing and cutting biomechanics, which enhances its clinical and field-screening value.