Volume 11, Issue 3 (12-2025)                   J Sport Biomech 2025, 11(3): 236-250 | Back to browse issues page

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Jamali M, Moghaddamnezhad S, Daneshjoo A, Mousavi Sadati S K. The Effect of Toe Direction Modification on Medial Knee Compartment Pressure in Students with Genu Varum. J Sport Biomech 2025; 11 (3) :236-250
URL: http://biomechanics.iauh.ac.ir/article-1-391-en.html
The Effect of Toe Direction Modification on Medial Knee Compartment Pressure in Students with Genu Varum
Mehrnoosh Jamali1 , Sabikeh Moghaddamnezhad1 , Abdolrasoul Daneshjoo *1 , Seyyed Kazem Mousavi Sadati1
1- Department of Sport Sciences, ET.C., Islamic Azad university, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract:   (59 Views)
Objective Individuals with genu varum are at increased risk for various skeletal and structural injuries due to force imbalances around the knees. This study aimed to examine the effect of toe direction on medial knee compartment pressure in students with genu varum.
Methods The study population included students from Kharazmi University in Tehran. Fourteen participants with genu varum (mean height: 175 ± 3.70 cm, weight: 65 ± 12.40 kg, age: 29 ± 7.10 years) were voluntarily recruited from university dormitories based on predetermined inclusion criteria. Participants performed a drop landing from a 30 cm platform under two conditions: toe-in and toe-out. Three successful trials were recorded for each condition per participant. Kinematic and kinetic data were collected using a camera and force plate and processed with MATLAB. Statistical analysis was performed using the Shapiro–Wilk test and paired t-test in SPSS version 23, with the significance level set at p = 0.05.
Results TDuring landing, knee adduction torque was significantly higher in the toe-in condition compared to the toe-out condition. The paired t-test revealed a significant difference in mean knee adduction torque between the two conditions (p = 0.001), indicating that toe-in positioning increases medial knee loading.
Conclusion The findings suggest that adopting a toe-out landing strategy can significantly reduce knee adduction torque compared to toe-in positioning. This adjustment may help decrease medial knee compartment pressure in individuals with genu varum during landing. Further research is recommended to confirm these findings and explore their clinical implications.
Keywords: Genu varum, Drop landing, Knee adduction moment, Young adults
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Type of Study: Research | Subject: General
Received: 2025/06/6 | Accepted: 2025/07/8 | Published: 2025/07/9
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