Physical Treatments (Oct 2024)
Comparing the Knee Valgus Angle and Pattern of Dominant and Non-dominant Feet in Basketball Players With Dynamic Knee Valgus After Fatigue
Abstract
Purpose: Since the foot is vital for maintaining stability and posture, knowing the difference between dominant and non-dominant knees can help reduce the risk of knee injury. Basketball players with dynamic knee valgus (DKV) following fatigue application were the subjects of the current study, which compared the angle and pattern of knee valgus in dominant and non-dominant feet. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, our selection process involved choosing 27 basketball players with a knee dynamic valgus pattern (mean age=20.77±3.06 years, mean height=188±9 centimeters, and mean weight=79.68±18.35 kilograms) in a non-random, targeted manner. To assess the knee valgus angle in the frontal plane, we performed imaging using a digital camera positioned at 366 centimeters and a height of 105 centimeters relative to the subject. Furthermore, the subjects performed three countermovement jumps. Data were analyzed using “KINOVEA” software, version 0.9.5. In this study, players engaged in a 40-minute basketball game, conducted under regulations and including all scheduled rest periods. Results: No significant difference was observed between the pre-test and post-test in the dominant foot initial contact valgus variable (P=0.900), non-dominant foot initial contact valgus variable (P=0.134), dominant foot maximum flexion valgus variable (P=0.237), and non-dominant foot maximum flexion valgus variable (P=0.188), according to the results of the paired t-test for within-group comparison of the study’s mean variables. Furthermore, no statistically significant difference was observed in the first contact valgus between the dominant and non-dominant foot prior to the test (P=0.485) or between the two groups after the test (P=0.066). However, a significant difference was found in the maximum flexion valgus between the dominant and non-dominant foot before the test (P=0.012) and after the test (P=0.018), indicating that the dominant foot had a greater valgus angle than the non-dominant foot in both instances. Conclusion: The current study’s results indicate that functional exhaustion, as employed in this investigation, does not raise the knee valgus angle; however, among basketball players, the dominant foot’s valgus angle was larger than the non-dominant foot. Therefore, the basketball players’ dominant foot is probably more vulnerable to non-contact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries.
