Effect of the Knee Control Program on Knee Valgus Angle and Static and Dynamic Balances in Young Male Football Players With Dynamic Knee Valgus

Abstract

Background and Aims Dynamic knee valgus (DKV) and impaired static and dynamic balances are the risk factors of the anterior cruciate ligament injuries in football players. This study aims to investigate the effect of the knee control program on knee valgus angle and static and dynamic balances in young male football players with DKV. Methods This is a quasi-experimental study. Of 156 young male football players, 48 with DKV were recruited and randomly assigned to intervention group (n=24, Mean age=12.70±0.62 years, height=1.52±0.07 m, weight=48.87±6.67 kg, BMI=21.10±2.18 kg/m2) and control group (n=24, mean age=12.58±0.65 years, height= 1.52±0.08 m, weight= 50.45±6.79 kg, BMI=21.88±2.92 kg/m2). The drop-jump test, Stork test, and Y balance test were used to measure dynamic knee valgus angle, static balance, and dynamic balance, respectively. The intervention group received the knee control program as a warm-up exercise for 8 weeks, while the control group performed their routine warm-up exercises during this time. Analysis of covariance and the paired t-test were used to evaluate differences in the study variables. Results In the intervention group, there was a significant reduction in knee valgus angle (P=0.001) and significant improvements in static balance (P=0.001) and dynamic balance (P=0.001) in the post-test phase compared to the pre-test phase, but there were no significant differences in the control group (P>0.05). Moreover, the results showed significant differences between the two groups in knee valgus angle (P=0.001), static balance (P=0.001) and dynamic balance (P=0.002). Conclusion The knee control program is effective in reducing dynamic knee valgus angle and improving static and dynamic balances in young football players with DKV. Thus, it seems that this program can reduce the risk of anterior cruciate ligament injuries in young male football players.