Genu varum

Genu varus is one of the malalignment of the lower limbs, the failure to correct it leads to secondary abnormalities in adulthood. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a corrective exercise program on ground reaction forces, loading rates, impulses and free moment during stance phase of walking. 17 children with genu varus were volunteered to participate in this study (Age:11.71±1.68 years, Height:1.40±0.09 meter, Weight:35.14±11.47 Kg, and BMI:17.49±3.61Kg/M2). Ground reaction forces were recorded with two Kisler force plates during pre and post-test. At the dominant limb, the amount of time to peak in the mediolateral ground reaction force component during heel contact decreased by of 61.90% (P=0.011). Also, the time to peak of the vertical ground reaction force component during mid-stance tend to increase significantly by 11.47% during the post-test compared to the pre-test (P=0.063). The values of peak ground reaction force components, loading rate, impulse and free moment did not show any significant differences between pre and post-test. The findings showed that the corrective exercise trainings used in the present study had the most effect on the time to peak components of the GRF, but there were no significant effects on the loading rate, impulses, and free moment components. The corrective exercises used in the present study have had the most effect on the time to peak of ground reaction forces and improve them. On the other hand, these exercises did not have any significant effect on the vertical loading rate, impact and free moment values.

Background and Objective: Genu varus deformity is associated with changes of lower limb muscle co-contraction and running economy. This study was done to evaluate the effect of using of brace in three different knee flexion angles on running economy and lower limb muscular co-contraction in individuals with genu varus. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was done on active soccer male students including 15 healthy subjects (average age of 22.86±1.55 years) and 15 subjects with genu varus (average age of 22.13±1.80 years). The amount of electrical activity of the muscles (tibialis anterior, medial gastrocnemius, vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, biceps femoris, semi-tendinosus) were recorded by electromyography system during four conditions of with and without using knee brace. After that, directed and general co-contraction was computed during running. The angles of brace were 15, 30, and 60 degrees. The values of VO2 max were recorded using of gas analyzer system to compute running economy. Results: The ratio of respiratory exchange was significantly more in the genu varus group than healthy group (P<0.05). However, the acute effect of brace was not significant on running economy and ratio of respiratory exchange. The main effect of brace was significant for general co-contraction of knee joint during the loading phase (P<0.05). Paired wise comparison revealed significant greater general knee co-contraction during brace conditions (P<0.05). However, the general knee co-contraction during loading phase reduced while using brace 15 degree. The main effect of "brace" for ankle joint general co-contraction during the push-off phase was significant (P<0.05). Paired wise comparison revealed significant greater general ankle co-contraction during brace conditions at push-off phase (P<0.05). Conclusion: Knee brace did not change running economy. However, the using of brace 15 degree improved general knee joint co-contraction during loading phase.