A comparison of running kinetics in children with and without genu varus: A cross sectional study

Abstract

IntroductionVarus knee alignment has been identified as a risk factor for the progression of medial knee osteoarthritis. However, the underlying mechanisms have not been elucidated yet in children. Thus, the aims of the present study were to examine differences in ground reaction forces, loading rate, impulses, and free moment values during running in children with and without genu varus.MethodsThirty-six boys aged 9–14 volunteered to participate in this study. They were divided in two age-matched groups (genu varus versus healthy controls). Body weight adjusted three dimensional kinetic data (Fx, Fy, Fz) were collected during running at preferred speed using two Kistler force plates for the dominant and non-dominant limb.ResultsIndividuals with knee genu varus produced significantly higher (p = .01; d = 1.09; 95%) body weight adjusted ground reaction forces in the lateral direction (Fx) of the dominant limb compared to controls. On the non-dominant limb, genu varus patients showed significantly higher body weight adjusted ground reaction forces values in the lateral (p = .01; d = 1.08; 86%) and medial (p < .001; d = 1.55; 102%) directions (Fx). Further, genu varus patients demonstrated 55% and 36% greater body weight adjusted loading rates in the dominant (p < .001; d = 2.09) and non-dominant (p < .001; d = 1.02) leg, respectively. No significant between-group differences were observed for adjusted free moment values (p>.05).DiscussionHigher mediolateral ground reaction forces and vertical loading rate amplitudes in boys with genu varus during running at preferred running speed may accelerate the development of progressive joint degeneration in terms of the age at knee osteoarthritis onset. Therefore, practitioners and therapists are advised to conduct balance and strength training programs to improve lower limb alignment and mediolateral control during dynamic movements.

Effects of Running on Sand vs. Stable Ground on Kinetics and Muscle Activities in Individuals With Over-Pronated Feet

“…The x, y, and z force components represent medio-lateral, antero-posterior, and vertical directions. GRF data were analyzed by computing the first (Fz HC ) and second vertical peak force (Fz PO ) ( Jafarnezhadgero et al, 2017 ). In addition, braking (Fy HC ) and propulsion forces (Fy PO ) were recorded from the anterior-posterior force curve.…”

“…In addition, braking (Fy HC ) and propulsion forces (Fy PO ) were recorded from the anterior-posterior force curve. The positive (lateral) peak (Fx HC ) and the negative (medial) peak (Fx PO ) were additionally calculated ( Jafarnezhadgero et al, 2017 ). Time-to-peak (TTP) was defined as the time between the initial heel contact and the respective Fz HC peak value.…”

Scoping Review of Systems to Train Psychomotor Skills in Hearing Impaired Children

“…Children with cochlear implanta show a drop in their gross motor performance coinciding with surgery, and a period of at least two years is needed to recover the developmental delay [12]. HI children exhibit worse gait performance than NH children, with abnormal ground reaction forces, higher propulsion and lower free movements [13,14]. Higher hearing impairment determines worse postural recovery and gait performance [14,15] and hearing aids and cochlear implants may help promote improvements in gait and stability during walking [16].…”

Long-term training on sand changes lower limb muscle activities during running in runners with over-pronated feet

“…A force plate with a sampling rate of 1000 Hz was used to register the GRF data. The description of the kinetic data process can be found in detail in a previous study [ 57 ]. The GRF data was processed using a low-pass filter at 20 Hz (4th order Butterworth filter, zero lag).…”