Lab: Measuring Valgus Angle (Knee ABD)

Purpose: To investigate one risk factor for knee injury

Background:

While the majority of ACL injuries happen during non-contact situations, they still occur, usually due to the position of
Background: https://www.physio-
the valgus knee or an abnormal rotation. During high-speed activities, the ACL is also susceptible to injury because the

pedia.com/Anterior_Cruciate_Ligament_(ACL)_Injury
quadriceps are trying to resist flexion. Even balance and fatigue play a role in ACL injuries. It is believed that when a non-

contact ACL injury occurs, it is because of the lateral compression in the valgus. Coaches and trainers alike are becoming
involved in intervention programs that aim to reduce risk of an injury through safer practice in activities such as cutting

orHypothesis:
jumping. For example, they recommended to land with more knee flexion during jumping exercises. Overall, new

measures are being taken to prevent ACL injury.

Hypothesis:
Women will have a greater knee abduction/valgus angle than men due to their q-angle.

Procedure:

Drop Jump Landing Test

1.Step off a chair or box that's about 24 inches high. Land softly on the

ground with two feet and then immediately jump up.

2 Using Technique, film the landing and the jump.

3. Repeat 2 more times.

4. At the deepest part of the squat on the landing, measure the valgus

angle of each knee

5. Record your measurements.

Data:

Name Test 1 Test 2 Test 3 Avg degree

of Knee ABD

Analysis:

1. Give a brief history of your group members. Include age, gender, any significant hip, knee and/or
ankle injuries.

Levi is 17 years old and male. He sprained his MCL in his right knee and has sprained both ankles.

Julian is 17 years old and male. He had had patellar tendinitis and sprained both ankles.

2. Compare the average Knee ABD for the entire class? Greatest degree? Least degree?

The average for the left is 8.51 degrees. The average for the right is 10.48 degrees. The greatest
and least for the left knee is 14.3 and 3. For the right knee, it is 18.6 and 6 degrees.

3. Compare the Knee ABD average for men and women in this class.

The women's average for the left is 10.2 and 13.06 for the right. The men's average for the left is 7.6
and 8.94 degrees for the right.

Conclusion:

1. Was your hypothesis proved or disproved? Give evidence to support your answer.

My hypothesis was proved through the test. Due to the greater q-angle in the hips that women
possess, they are able to create a greater valgus angle when they squat. Our q-angle is greater
because of our ability to give birth.

2. Is the amount of Knee ABD significant in ACL injuries? How do your results support your
answer? Knee abduction is lower in people who have had ACL injuries. Levi had a smaller degree of
abduction because of an injury to his MCL. While high knee abduction movements are the cause of
many ACL injuries, after and injury has occurred, abduction will decrease.

3. For those who had a significant amount of Knee ABD, what exercises would you have them
perform to reduce Knee ABD and reduce the risk of incurring an ACL injury? To reduce risk, I would
have them practice squatting but making sure their knee is turned inward. They should also stretch
their quadriceps and hamstrings prior to any exercise.