Investigating Ground Reaction Forces and Electromyography Muscle Activity of Lower Extremity During the Stance Phase of Walking in Active Male with and Without Genu Varum Deformity in Kharazmi University in 2017: A Descriptive Study

Genu varum is one of the most common knee deformities, which can cause changes in the forces of the body and the way the muscles of the lower limbs function due to changes in the mechanical axis of lower limb. The aim of this study was to investigate ground reaction forces and electromyography muscle activity of lower extremity during the stance phase of walking in subjects with and without genu varum deformity.

In this descriptive study conducted in Kharazmi University in 2017, 30 active men were categorized into two groups of genu varum (n=15) and normal (n=15) based on their knee posture. The participants’ age ranged from 20 to 25 years. Using force plate and electromyography, respectively, ground reaction force and muscle activity were calculated. The data were analyzed utilizing independent samples t-test for between-group differences.

The findings indicated that the depth force of vertical ground reaction force in the normal group had significantly higher value compared to the genu varum group (p=0.018). Also, gluteus medius muscle during the loading response phase of walking in the active male with genu varum had significantly higher levels of activity than the control group (p=0.031).

According to the findings of this research, it seems that mechanical deviation due to the deformity of the genu varum causes some changes in the ground reaction forces and the performance of the lower limb muscles during walking. The findings point to the need to pay attention to these factors in people with genu varum.