Drop jump landing knee valgus angle; normative data in a physically active population

Abstract 

Objective

Establish normative values for knee valgus angle during drop jump and step landings.

Design

Observational.

Setting

University biomechanics laboratory.

Participants

100 physically active asymptomatic individuals (50 male, 50 female) aged 18–28 years old.

Main outcome measures

Knee valgus angle during drop jump and step landings.

Results

There were no differences between genders during the step landing task (p < 0.12) but there were differences during the drop jump landing task (p < 0.048). Both males and females showed no significant differences between sides for either of the tasks (p > 0.05) or between the valgus angle generated for either of the tasks (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

It would appear in order to be regarded as an average “normal” performance during a drop jump landing task knee valgus angle should be symmetrical and in the range of 7–13° for females and 3–8° for males. For a unilateral step landing task knee valgus angle should be symmetrical and in the range of 5–12° for females and 1–9° for males.

Keywords: Knee valgus, Typical values, Landing