The Comparison of Electromyography of Plantar Flexor Muscles and Loading Rate during Single Leg Drop Landing between Men with Genu Varum Deformity and Normal Knee from Different Heights

There is relation between the rate of loading and arthrosis. Genu varum results in osteoarthritis. Knowing the changes of the affected biomechanical variables during landing result in fundamental understanding to prevent arthrosis in people with genu varum deformity. Hence, the purpose of this study was to compare the plantar flexor muscles activity with the rate of loading during single leg drop landing between men with genu varum deformity and normal knee from three heights.

40 healthy male students participated in this semi-experimental research. Subjects were 20 people with genu varum deformity and the rest half with normal knee. Genu varum deformity was measured by a caliper and goniometer. Subjects performed single-leg landing dropping from three different heights)20, 40 and 60 cm) onto a force platform. Landing movement was divided into two phases: 100 ms precontact and postcontact of foot onto the ground. Data analysis was performed using Mixed ANOVA.

It has been observed no significant difference during pre-landing between the activities of the medial gastrocnemius and soleus muscles (p> 0.05). Although, there was a significant difference between two groups in the rate of loading with the activity of the medial gastrocnemius muscle during post-landing (p<0.05) and eventually there was no significant difference between soleus muscle activity in post-landing (p>0.05).

The higher rate of injury and arthrosis risk in people with genu varum in respect of normal ones might be due to the rate of high loading inserted to the extremities during landing. To diminish these risks, corrective exercises and corrected biomechanical activity are recommended.