Differences in Lower Extremity Movement Quality by Level of Sport Specialization in Cadets Entering a United States Service Academy.

Background: Sport specialization in youth athletes is associated with increased risk for musculoskeletal injury; however, little is known about whether sport specialization is associated with lower extremity movement quality. The purpose of this study was to examine differences in lower extremity movement quality by level of sport specialization in US Service Academy cadets.

Hypothesis: Cadets who report an increased level of sport specialization would have a lower level of movement quality than those who are less specialized.