Vermehrte valgisierung der beinachse bei gesunden Läuferinnen

Introduction/Purpose: Running is frequently associated with overuse injuries which can be induced via biomechanical phenomena. Female runners are more prone to injuries at the patellofemoral articulation than their male counterparts. A reason for this may be the prevalence of a medial collapse of the lower extremity in women which is also described as a predisposing factor for Patello Femoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS). We hypothesized that female runners have greater hip adduction and rearfoot pronation than males while running. Methods: Comparisons were made of hip frontal plane angular motions, and lower ankle joint kinematics during the stance phase (ROP) of barefoot running in 32 runners (16 women) with a 6-camera motion capture system. Results: Female runners had increased mean hip adduction within the 1st 87% of stance. Point-by-point Gaussian theory intervals separated between 37% and 44% ROP (Mean difference MD 3.7°-4.0°). Range of motion for frontal plane motion at the hip and maximum adduction were greater in women (MD: 2.8°/2.5°, difference of medians: 4.2°/5.0°, p<0.1). Although mean values for pronation movement differed between groups, none of the differences was statistically significant (MD: 0.2-1.5°, difference of medians: 0.1-1.5). Conclusion: Results of the current study indicate that women exhibit greater hip adduction during part of the ROP while running. This can lead to a medial collapse of the lower extremity which is associated with overuse injuries such as PFPS. Therefore, injury prevention programs for female runners focusing on the strengthening and alignment of the lower extremity are recommended.