Landing error scoring system (less): less knowledge, more useful!

Performance on movement screens can change with knowledge of scoring criteria. The Landing Error Scoring System (LESS) is often used to identify high injury-risk biomechanics and athletes. We compared LESS scores and risk categorisation before and after the provision of scoring criteria and information on performance. Thirty volunteers performed 3 x 30-cm drop-jumps for LESS scoring at Baseline and one week later under two conditions: Pre and Post information. Baseline scores (6.2 ± 2.5 errors) were similar to Pre (6.6 ± 2.0 errors, p = 0.1858), as was the percentage of individuals at high risk (90 vs 83%, p = 0.6875). Post scores (4.7 ± 1.2 errors, p = 0.0002) and percentage at high risk (33%, p = 0.0007) were significantly lower than Pre. The clinical utility of LESS to identify high injury-risk biomechanics and athletes is compromised with prior knowledge of scoring criteria and performance.