Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Musculoskeletal Disorders

Background: The knee joint complex is one of the most commonly injured areas of the body in athletes. Excessive frontal plane knee excursion is considered a risk factor for multiple knee pathologies such as anterior cruciate ligament and patellofemoral joint injuries, however, little is known about the biomechanical factors that contribute to this loading pattern. objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate clinical predictors of frontal plane knee excursion during single leg landing tasks. methods: One hundred and twenty eight (male) football players participated in this study.Their mean age was (14.6±1.7) years and mean BMI was (21.3±2.1)kg/m2. The knee frontal plane projection angle was measured by digital video camera using single leg landing tasks after that clinical predictors affecting knee joint frontal plane projection angle assessed (tibiofemoral angle measured using digital video camera, peak isometric strength of hip and knee muscles strength assessed using portable HHD, static postural balance assessed using biodex balance system, foot posture assessed using foot posture index and knee proprioception assessed through measuring weightbearing joint position sense). results: Of the included variables, only static tibiofemoral alignment, hip external/internal rotators ratio and knee joint position sense absolute error showed significant correlation with the knee frontal plane projection angle during landing tasks(R= 0.387, P= 0.00;R= -0.374, P=0.00 and R= 0.348, P=0.00 respectively).Together these variables only explained 30% of the variance in peak knee valgus

Issued also as CD