Differences in onset time between the vastus medialis and lateralis during
stair stepping in individuals with genu varum or valgum |
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| Authors: | Seol Park Jun-Sub Chung Yong-Soo Kong Yu-Min Ko Ji-Won Park |
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| Institution: | 1) Department of Physical Therapy, College of Medical Science, Catholic University of Daegu, Republic of Korea;2) Department of Physical Therapy, General Graduate School, Catholic University of Daegu, Republic of Korea |
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| Abstract: | Purpose] We investigated the difference in onset time between the vastus medialis and
lateralis according to knee alignment during stair ascent and descent to examine the
effects of knee alignment on the quadriceps during stair stepping. Subjects] Fifty-two
adults (20 with genu varum, 12 with genu valgum, and 20 controls) were enrolled. Subjects
with > 4 cm between the medial epicondyles of the knees were placed in the genu varum
group, whereas subjects with > 4 cm between the medial malleolus of the ankle were
placed in the genu valgum group. Methods] Surface electromyography was used to measure
the onset times of the vastus medialis and vastus lateralis during stair ascent and
descent. Results] The vastus lateralis showed more delayed firing than the vastus
medialis in the genu varum group, whereas vastus medialis firing was more delayed than
vastus lateralis firing in the genu valgum group. Significant differences in onset time
were detected between stair ascent and descent in the genu varum and valgum groups.
Conclusion] Genu varum and valgum affect quadriceps firing during stair stepping.
Therefore, selective rehabilitation training of the quadriceps femoris should be
considered to prevent pain or knee malalignment deformities.Key words: Quadriceps muscle, Genu varum, Genu valgum |
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