EVALUATION OF Q ANGLE ENDURANCE AND FLEXIBILITY OF ATHLETES WITH KNEE PAIN ANTERIOR KNEE PAIN IN ATHLETES

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to compare the pain intensity and physical fitness parameters of athletes with and without anterior knee pain.

Material and Methods: This is a comparative cross-sectional study including elite athletes between the ages of 13-19 years. Twenty-one athletes with a VAS score of more than 3 were assigned to the knee pain group, while 19 athletes without knee pain were assigned to the control group. Visual analogue scale, lower extremity functionality scale, lower extremity and trunk flexibility and endurance, dynamic Q angle of both groups were measured and compared.

Results: The mean age was 16.95 ±1.4 in the knee pain group and 16.32 ±1.5 in the pain-free control group. There difference in age, gender, weight, height, or body mass index values between the groups (p>0.05). The number of repeated squats, duration of single leg stance, hip abductor strength and lower extremity functional scale values were statistically lower in the knee pain group (p<0.05). The analyses revealed a negative correlation between anterior knee pain and trunk extensor endurance and lower extremity functions of athletes. Hip endurance was positively correlated with flexibility tests and negatively correlated with the Q angle.

Conclusion: Core endurance is linked to hip endurance and flexibility. An increase was observed in the hip endurance values as the Q angle decreased. Pain intensity and Q angle decreased as lower extremity functionality values increased. To prevent sports injuries in athletics, risk factors for anterior knee pain should be reduced.

Keywords: Athlete, pain, Q angle, endurance, functionality