RESUMO
Objective To evaluate knee alignment in the frontal plane and pelvic balance during the step-down test in female and male soccer players. Methods Cross-sectional study carried out with male and female soccer players from under-15 and under-17 teams of a professional club in Southern Brazil. The step-down test was performed, filmed with a video camera, and evaluated according to the angular measurements obtained during movement using the Kinovea software (open source), version 0.8.24. Results The sample consisted of 38 individuals, 19 males and 19 females. Female athletes had a greater varus angle (9.42° ± 1.65°) compared to male athletes (3.91° ± 2.0°; p = 0.04). There was no difference regarding the unilateral pelvic drop between the groups. In addition, the association between the hip-related pelvic drop and the projection angle on the frontal plane of the knee was weak in both genders. Conclusion Even though the pelvic drop was observed in both genders, young female athletes had greater varus knee angles on the step-down test, which require greater attention to minimize the risk of injury.
RESUMO
Abstract Objective To evaluate knee alignment in the frontal plane and pelvic balance during the step-down test in female and male soccer players. Methods Cross-sectional study carried out with male and female soccer players from under-15 and under-17 teams of a professional club in Southern Brazil. The step-down test was performed, filmed with a video camera, and evaluated according to the angular measurements obtained during movement using the Kinovea software (open source), version 0.8.24. Results The sample consisted of 38 individuals, 19 males and 19 females. Female athletes had a greater varus angle (9.42º ± 1.65º) compared to male athletes (3.91º ± 2.0º; p = 0.04). There was no difference regarding the unilateral pelvic drop between the groups. In addition, the association between the hip-related pelvic drop and the projection angle on the frontal plane of the knee was weak in both genders. Conclusion Even though the pelvic drop was observed in both genders, young female athletes had greater varus knee angles on the step-down test, which require greater attention to minimize the risk of injury.
Resumo Objetivo Avaliar o alinhamento do joelho no plano frontal e o equilíbrio pélvico durante a descida de um degrau comparando atletas de futebol feminino e masculino. Métodos Estudo transversal, realizado com atletas de futebol das categorias sub-15 e sub-17, de ambos os sexos, de um clube profissional do Sul do Brasil. Foi realizado o teste de descida de um degrau, o qual foi filmado por uma câmera de vídeo, e, em sua avaliação, traçaram-se as medidas angulares durante o movimento por meio do software Kinovea (código aberto), versão 0.8.24. Resultados A amostra foi composta por 38 indivíduos, 19 do sexo masculino e 19 do sexo feminino. As atletas do sexo feminino apresentaram maior ângulo em varo (9,42º ± 1,65º) quando comparadas com os atletas masculinos (3,91º ± 2,0º; p = 0,04). Não houve diferença em relação à queda unilateral da pelve (drop pélvico) entre os grupos, e a associação entre o drop pélvico do quadril e o ângulo de projeção no plano frontal do joelho foi fraca em ambos os sexos. Conclusão Apesar de ambos os sexos terem apresentado queda pélvica, as atletas de base do sexo feminino apresentaram maior angulação do joelho em varo no teste de descida do degrau, e necessitam maior atenção para minimizar o risco de lesão.
