Correlation between Quadriceps angle and balance among young females

INTRODUCTION

The quadriceps angle is an anatomical variable that gives insight into the alignment of the knee joint and the alignment of the femur and tibia in the frontal plane. Studies have suggested an increased quadriceps angle has been considered a risk factor for many disorders and injuries. A higher quadriceps angle has been linked to greater femoral anteversion, increased anterior pelvic tilt, increased kneevalgus, excessive external tibial rotation, and patellar and foot position.

The alignment of lower extremity structures can have a significant impact on postural control strategies and stability, especially among females. Any changes in structural alignment can increase the risk of lower limb injuries in females. However, there are inconsistent conclusions in the literature regarding this topic.

There have been studies on the effects of quadriceps angle on young adults’ balance, but none have specifically looked at the relationship between quadriceps angle and static & dynamic balance in females.

Thus, it is important to ascertain the correlation in order to estimate the likelihood of potential future musculoskeletal injuries, enhance rehabilitation strategies, and optimize performance, especially in sports and clinical settings. This can also aid in predicting potential treatments if any abnormalities are detected.

METHODOLOGY –

This will be a correlational study and will be conducted in Physiotherapy OPD, School of Health Sciences, Kanpur. The sample will be collected by the purposive sampling method based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Prior to the participant’s enrolment in the research, each participant will receive an informed consent form for their voluntary participation.

Every participant’s demographic information, including age, gender, and address, will be documented, and the entire testing procedure will be explained. Each participant will complete the assessment without wearing any footwear. The tests will be terminated at any point during the entire process if the participant feels uncomfortable. Quadriceps angle will be measured first using a goniometer, and it will be followed by balance tests. Static balance will be assessed by the Stork stance test, and dynamic balance will be assessed by the Y balance test. One trial will be given, and final readings will be recorded for each test. Enough rest period will be given between each test and trial to avoid fatigue for the participant.

DISCUSSIONThis study will help society by offering insightful information about musculoskeletal health. This study has practical implications in injury prevention, especially in the female population, rehabilitation, performance enhancement, and clinical assessment, offering a more comprehensive approach to patient care. This can also aid in predicting potential treatment if abnormalities are detected. The study will comply with ethical guidelines and will not harm the participants.