A Isın1, T Melekoğlu2. 1. Faculty of Sports Sciences, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey. 2. Faculty of Sports Sciences, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey. Electronic address: tmelekoglu@akdeniz.edu.tr.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Genu varum is one of the most common anatomical variations of knee alignment which is considered a risk factor for anterior knee pain and anterior cruciate ligament injury among football players. Considering that millions of children participate in high-level football training, the purpose of this study was to determine the genu varum development in adolescent football players and non-athlete peers. The hypothesis of this study was that genu varum incidence was higher in adolescent football players compared with non-athletic peers. METHODS: The design was a cross-sectional study. Two-hundred and thirty-seven male football players (FG) and aged-matched and anthropometrically similar non-athletes (CG) were recruited into the study. The quadriceps angle and intercondylar-intermalleolar distance were measured to evaluate the leg alignment. The distance between the medial edges of the condyles and malleoli was measured in millimeters using a digital caliper while angle measurements were performed using a photographic technique in a standing position. To analyze the variables, comparison, correlation and regression statistical tests were performed. RESULTS: The intercondylar-intermalleolar distance and quadriceps angle values were significantly higher in FG than CG in all ages. In FG, a very strong correlation was found between number of training years and the intercondylar-intermalleolar distance. The prevalence of genu varum was markedly higher in FG than CG (~37% vs. 2%, respectively) based on intercondylar-intermalleolar distance. CONCLUSION: This study determined that the prevalence of genu varum and abnormal quadriceps angles in adolescent football players is significantly higher compared with their non-athletic peers.
BACKGROUND: Genu varum is one of the most common anatomical variations of knee alignment which is considered a risk factor for anterior knee pain and anterior cruciate ligament injury among football players. Considering that millions of children participate in high-level football training, the purpose of this study was to determine the genu varum development in adolescent football players and non-athlete peers. The hypothesis of this study was that genu varum incidence was higher in adolescent football players compared with non-athletic peers. METHODS: The design was a cross-sectional study. Two-hundred and thirty-seven male football players (FG) and aged-matched and anthropometrically similar non-athletes (CG) were recruited into the study. The quadriceps angle and intercondylar-intermalleolar distance were measured to evaluate the leg alignment. The distance between the medial edges of the condyles and malleoli was measured in millimeters using a digital caliper while angle measurements were performed using a photographic technique in a standing position. To analyze the variables, comparison, correlation and regression statistical tests were performed. RESULTS: The intercondylar-intermalleolar distance and quadriceps angle values were significantly higher in FG than CG in all ages. In FG, a very strong correlation was found between number of training years and the intercondylar-intermalleolar distance. The prevalence of genu varum was markedly higher in FG than CG (~37% vs. 2%, respectively) based on intercondylar-intermalleolar distance. CONCLUSION: This study determined that the prevalence of genu varum and abnormal quadriceps angles in adolescent football players is significantly higher compared with their non-athletic peers.