Range of motion, postural alignment, and LESS score differences of those with and without excessive medial knee displacement.

OBJECTIVE

To determine range of motion (ROM), postural alignment, and dynamic motion differences between those with and without medial knee displacement (MKD) during the overhead squat (OHS). We hypothesized those with MKD would have restricted ROM, differing postural alignment, and poorer quality dynamic motion than those without MKD.

DESIGN

Observational.

SETTING

University Research Laboratory.

PARTICIPANTS

Ninety-seven healthy recreationally active college-aged individuals.

INDEPENDENT VARIABLES: Groups were determined by the presence (MKD group) or absence (control group) of MKD during an OHS.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Range of motion measures were active and passive ankle dorsiflexion with the knee straight and bent, hip internal and external rotation, and hip abduction. Postural alignment measures were Q angle, navicular drop, and genu recurvatum. Quality of dynamic motion was measured using total Landing Error Scoring System (LESS) score.

RESULTS

The MKD group had significantly less active (P = 0.017) and passive (P = 0.045) ankle dorsiflexion with the knee straight, as well as significantly increased Q angle (P = 0.004) and decreased navicular drop (P = 0.009). There were no significant differences in total LESS score or the other outcome measures.

CONCLUSIONS

There is select ROM, such as ankle dorsiflexion, and postural measures clinicians can screen for that may be related to increased MKD and theoretically elevated risk of injury.