Affiliations: [a] Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Bezmialem Vakıf University, Istanbul, Turkey | [b] Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Division of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey | [c] Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Gulhane Faculty of Health Sciences, Health Science University, Ankara, Turkey
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Hilal Denızoglu Kulli, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Bezmialem Vakıf University, Silahtaraga Street 189 Eyup Sultan/ Istanbul, Turkey. Tel.: +90 530 9383363; E-mail: [email protected].
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Changes in postural stability may be a reason for injuries in individuals who have altered musculoskeletal alignment. Q angle (QA) has shown to be a predictor for lower extremity injuries. However, the relationship between balance and QA has not been investigated in young adults. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between QA and balance in young adults. METHODS: Ninety participants performed the single leg stance test (SLST) and Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) to assess static and dynamic balance, respectively. QA was measured using a manual goniometer. Participants were divided into low, normal and high QA groups. RESULTS: The relationship between SLST and QA was not statistically significant in both eyes opened and closed condition (r=-0.030, p= 0.782; r= 0.031, p= 0.774; respectively). SLST scores did not differ among the three groups in both eyes opened and closed condition (p= 0.781, p= 0.790; respectively). QA significantly correlated with lateral, posterolateral directions and sum score of SEBT (r= 0.240, p= 0.023; r= 0.269, p= 0.010; r= 0.210, p= 0.047). The comparisons among the low, normal and high Q angle groups’ SEBT scores showed that balance performance in lateral direction was poorer in low QA group (p= 0.027). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study showed that QA and dynamic balance have a significant relationship. To reduce musculoskeletal injury risk, the dynamic balance should be assessed in young adults who have lower QA.
Keywords: Q angle, lower extremity, star excursion balance test, single leg stance test
