Quadriceps Angle and Risk of Injury Among High School Cross-Country Runners

Abstract

DESIGN:Prospective cohort study. OBJECTIVES:To determine the relationship between quadriceps angle (Q-angle) and risk of lower extremity injury among adolescent crosscountry runners. BACKGROUND:No consensus exists on the role of the Q-angle as a risk factor for lower-extremity overuse injury, especially the effect of large Q-angle or right-left Q-angle difference. METHODS AND MEASURES:The Q-angles of 393 high school cross-country runners, 13 to 19 years of age, were goniometrically measured in a static, standing position with quadriceps relaxed. The runners were followed during a cross-country season to assess lower extremity injuries resulting from running in practices or competitions. RESULTS:Runners with a Q-angle 20° were at 1.7 times greater risk of injury (relative risk [RR], 1.7; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.2, 2.4) compared with runners whose Q-angle was 10° to 15°. The RR estimates were similar among girls and boys. Runners with 4° absolute right-left Qangle difference were at 1.8 times greater risk (RR, 1.8; 95% CI: 1.4, 2.5) compared to runners with a smaller difference. Runners with a Q-angle 20°w ere more likely to injure their knee, while runners with 4° Q-angle difference were more likely to injure their shin. Runners with a Q-angle 20° had greater time lost due to injury. CONCLUSIONS:High school cross-country runners with large or asymmetric Q-angles may be at greater risk for running injury. Our study suggests that Q-angle measurement be included in preseason screening exams.

The Epidemiology of Severe Injuries Sustained by National Collegiate Athletic Association Student-Athletes, 2009–2010 Through 2014–2015

“…For instance, our finding that the proportion of severe lower extremity injuries was higher in women than in men may point to biological predispositions to lower extremity injuries, such as dynamic knee valgus and quadriceps dominance. [44][45][46] Women also had larger proportions of sprains and stress fractures, which are more often associated with noncontact or overuse injuries. 6,44 This may indicate that prevention programs focused on the lower extremity may be more beneficial and appropriate for women.…”

Relationship Between Q Angle and Knee Injuries Prevalence in Elite Volleyball Players

“…The quadriceps angle (Q angle) is an important parameter to assess patellofemoral mechanics and is thus of great interest to clinicians as well as sport trainers. Actually, it is a clinical measure of the alignment of the quadriceps femoris musculature relative to the alignment of the underlying skeletal structures of the pelvis, femur and tibia [8,9]. First, Brattstrom (1964) described Q angle as an angle formed between the ligamentum patellae and the extension of the line formed by the quadriceps Femoris muscle resultant force with apex at the patella.…”

Características das lesões desportivas e fatores associados com lesão em iniciantes de ginástica artística do sexo feminino

“…Harring et al 12 reported that 58% of the gymnasts stated that they competed in the presence of symptoms created by new or recurrent injuries, therefore these findings had an important clinical implication for the coaches and professionals of the Sports Sciences to establish appropriate protocols of rehabilitation and safe return to the sport after an injury 16 .…”