Research in Sport Medicine and Technology

The purpose of current study was to investigate the spatio-temporal gait parameters and knee varus angle
during walking at different speeds in young with knee varus. 18 subjects with varus deformity classified at
grade 3 of bowleg and 17 healthy subjects, volunteered to participate in this study. The following variables
include stance, swing, double support and cycle time, cadence, stride length, angle of varus at the heel
contact, midstance and toe off when walking on the treadmill at speeds of 80, 100 and 120 percent of
preferred walking speed, were measured from using the three-dimensional motion analysis system with six
optoelectronic cameras. The results of between-group tests showed that spatio-temporal gait parameters
in the varus group is similar to the normal group. Also varus angular variables in varus group, was indicate
higher values in comparison to the healthy group, but there were no significant differences. The results of
inter-group tests also showed the knee varus angle generally increases with increasing speed, that none of
the differences were not significant. According to the results, the increase in walking speed will caused to
increase knee varus angle. Therefore, walking with speed less than the normal walking speed, probably is
a suitable solution to reduce the loads exerted on the knee joint and prevention of premature osteoarthritis
in young with knee varus.

Support foot position is one of the important factors which can affect instep kick quality and ankle joint injury. The aims of this study were to examine the support foot parameters in maximal instep kicking with the preferred and the non-preferred leg and research on risk factors for ankle joint injury in amateur futsal players. In this semi experimental study, twelve young and novice futsal players performed maximal speed place kicks with the preferred and the non-preferred leg. Average of the subjects individual characteristic have contained, age : 21/2±1/5 years, weight : 67/6±5/5 Kg and height :176±4/2 cm. Athletes were kicking the ball towards the goal from 10 meters. amount of support foot pressure were calculated at 300 Hz. To calculate injury of ankle joint, Forces, impulses, position of the fixed leg and maximum pressure of the lateral and medial portions of the foots were determined. Results indicated a significant difference in amount of subtalar joint range of motion. Higher range of motion in dominant leg were caused by a greater flexibility and coordination in this side of the body. In addition there were no significant different in impact of anterior, middle and posterior portion of fixed legs between two support foot. In contrast the maximum pressure in lateral side of non-preferred leg, was significantly more than other foot. In addition, the maximum force in non-preferred leg occurred prior then other foot. These problems can exacerbate ankle injury risk. Because the subjects were novice and they do not have appropriate neuromuscular coordination, can’t show a good movement pattern in non preferred leg. Hence, the absence of neuromuscular coordination can lead to energy loss and high pressure coming into the body, especially the feet and it can exacerbate injuries.  In a nutshell, amateur subjects indicated higher quality of­ biomechanical parameters in support foot of the preferred leg. Also likelihood of ankle sprain in dominant foot was less than other. Also generalization of these results to semi-professional and professional players, need further research.