[Cross-sectional Evaluation of the Mechanical Axis and Other Angular Parameters of the Lower Limbs in Male Professional Soccer Players].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the mechanical axis and angular parameters of the lower limbs in professional soccer players, relating them to age, limb dominance, and field position.

METHODS

The present cross-sectional study included 102 male athletes from a Brazilian professional soccer team. Full-length radiographs in the orthostatic position were analyzed using the PeekMed (Peek Health, S.A.) software to measure the condylar efficiency (CE), the medial mechanical proximal tibial angle (mMPTA), the mechanical lateral distal femoral angle (mLDFA), and the mechanical tibiofemoral angle (mTFA). The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance (ANOVA), multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), Pearson's/Spearman's correlations, and multiple regression.

RESULTS

The mean age of the participants was of 26.9 years. The valgus pattern was the most prevalent (68.6%), with bilateral valgus in 47.0% of the sample. A negative correlation was found between age and bilateral CE (ρ = -0.42 on the right side; and -0.39 on the left side; p  < 0.05), and defenders and left-footed players presented greater condylar asymmetry (ΔCE). The MANOVA indicated a significant association between field position and angular parameters ( p  = 0.0016), with no global effect of dominance ( p  = 0.243). Midfielders and fullbacks showed a higher prevalence of valgus (of up to 80%), while defenders and goalkeepers commonly presented with neutral alignment. There were significant bilateral differences in CE, mMPTA, and mTFA.

CONCLUSION

Age and field position influenced lower-limb alignment in professional soccer players, with more pronounced asymmetries in defenders and left-footed athletes. Individualized monitoring of the mechanical axis may help prevent injuries and optimize performance.