DANESHMANDI, H.; SAKI, F.; SHAHHEIDARI, S. Lower extremity malalignment and linear relation with Q
angle in female athletes. Brazilian Journal of Biomotricity, v. 5, n. 1, p. 45-52, 2011. Lower extremity
alignment has been proposed as a risk factor for acute and chronic lower extremity injuries. The aim of this
study was to determine the extent to which select lower extremity alignment characteristics are related to the
Q angle. One hundred and thirty female athletes were examined for navicular drop, Q angle, genu
recurvatum, femoral anteversion, T-F angle, tibiofemoral angle, dorsiflextion, hip internal and external
rotation and general join laxity. The results showed greater tibiofemoral angle, femoral anteversion and hip
internal rotation were significant predictors of greater Q angle (p< 0.05). Greater femoral anteversion, hip
internal rotation and tibiofemoral angle results in greater Q angle, with changes in tibiofemoral angle having
a substantially greater impact on the magnitude of the Q angle compared with femoral anteversion and hip
internal rotation. Thus identifying the postural factors that influence Q angle, excessive stress and potential
injury is of considerable importance. Clinically this has implications for both preseason screening and clinical
treatment of subjects or patients.
