A gymnast comes to see you because she is experiencing knee pain when she tries to stick

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Question:

A gymnast comes to see you because she is experiencing knee pain when she tries to stick her dismounts. One of your assessment tools is to examine the vertical ground reaction forces produced during a countermovement jump. You notice that she lands very hard and suggest modifying her landing technique to help reduce pain.

1. Regarding the impulse-momentum theory, why might she be experiencing pain when she lands? What advice could you give to help her?

2. Why are we interested in the vertical ground reaction forces?