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The Effects of Open Chain Versus Closed Chain Strengthening on Dynamic Valgus During a Step Down Test

The Effects of Open Chain Versus Closed Chain Strengthening on Dynamic Valgus During a Step Down Test

Status
Recruiting
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06348836
Enrollment
10
Registered
2024-04-05
Start date
2024-03-22
Completion date
2025-02-28
Last updated
2024-04-05

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Dynamic Knee Valgus

Keywords

knee valgus, hip weakness

Brief summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the effects of different exercises programs in individuals with abnormal knee motion. The main question it aims to answer are: * In individuals with abnormal knee motion and without knee pain, does a weight-bearing exercise program reduce abnormal knee motion during a step-down test better than a non weight-bearing exercise program? Participants will * Perform a stepdown test while undergoing motion analysis and electromyograph (EMG) recording. * Participants will then be placed either into a weight-bearing or non weight-bearing exercise group. Exercises will be performed 3 times per week for 6 weeks. * Further motion analysis and EMG data will be collected to test for differences. Researchers will compare individual results before and after exercise, and between-group results before and after exercise to see if one exercise program helps improved abnormal knee motion more than the other.

Detailed description

The goals of this trial is to compare the effects of a closed kinetic chain exercise program to an open kinetic chain exercise program in individuals without knee pain who also have dynamic knee valgus during a step-down test. Individuals will be screened for participation via visual observation. Those with an observable medial collapse of the knee joint will then receive motion capture testing of the step down test (three trials) with electromyography recording of the gluteus medius, quadriceps and hamstring muscle groups. Baseline maximum voluntary contraction of these muscles will be done with EMG analysis and force gauge measurements. After initial data collection participants will be randomized into either a closed kinetic chain exercise group or open kinetic chain exercise group. (described in the Arms section) Participants will exercise 2-3 times per week for 6 weeks. After the exercise program is completed, participants will then be seen back for final data collection which will match the initial collection process.

Interventions

OTHERExercise

Description of exercises are noted in the arms/groups descriptions

Sponsors

Alvernia University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Intervention model description

Participants will be randomly assigned to either a closed-chain (weightbearing) exercise group or an open-chain (non-weightbearing) exercise group

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Dynamic knee valgus with observed step down test

Exclusion criteria

* Presently experiencing lower extremity pain * Lower extremity surgery within the past 1 year

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Electromyographic activity of gluteus medius muscle during step-down test6 weeksMuscle activity of gluteus medius during max contraction and during step-down test
Electromyographic activity of quadriceps muscle during step-down test6 weeksMuscle activity of quadriceps muscle during max contraction and during step-down test
Electromyographic activity of hamstring muscles during step-down test6 weeksMuscle activity of hamstring muscles during max contraction and during step-down test

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Amount of dynamic knee valgus during step-down test measured with motion analysis6 weeksMotion analysis of frontal plane knee motion during step-down test

Countries

United States

Contacts

Primary ContactJames M O'Donohue, DPT
james.odonohue@alvernia.edu6103341162

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026