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Quadriceps angle and rearfoot motion: relationships in walking
1Division of Kinesiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
|April 1, 1993
Summary
This study found no significant correlation between quadriceps angle (q-angle) and rearfoot motion during walking in women. The quadriceps angle and rearfoot motion are independent biomechanical factors during gait.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Human Movement Analysis
- Orthopedics
Background:
- The quadriceps angle (q-angle) and rearfoot motion are key variables in lower extremity biomechanics.
- Understanding their relationship is crucial for analyzing gait and identifying potential injury risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between the quadriceps angle (q-angle) and rearfoot motion during walking.
- To determine if static and dynamic q-angles correlate with measures of rearfoot motion.
Main Methods:
- Twenty women walked barefoot on a treadmill at a controlled pace (1.5 mph).
- Frontal plane motion was captured using two-camera videography.
- Q-angles and rearfoot angles (pronation, total motion) were calculated from digitized trials.
- Static and dynamic measurements of q-angle and rearfoot angles were analyzed.
Main Results:
- All measured q-angle variables (static and dynamic) showed poor correlations with rearfoot motion variables.
- Mean values for dynamic q-angle at heel strike (16.13°) and midstance (16.00°) were recorded.
- Mean values for maximum pronation (-7.88°) and total rearfoot motion (8.20°) were observed.
Conclusions:
- The quadriceps angle (q-angle) and rearfoot motion appear to be independent biomechanical factors during walking.
- No significant association was found between q-angle and rearfoot motion in this cohort of women.
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