Athletic Injuries, Biomechanical Phenomena, Genu Valgum, Knee Injuries
Conditions
Keywords
Volleyball, Q Angle, Landing, Corrective Exercises, Jump
Brief summary
This study examines the effects of an 8-week structured corrective exercise program on Q angle and jump-landing mechanics (evaluated via the Landing Error Scoring System - LESS) in competitive young female volleyball players during their in-season period. Twenty-three athletes were assigned to either an experimental group receiving corrective exercises or a control group maintaining standard training. The primary goal is to determine if targeted biomechanical corrections can improve knee alignment and movement quality to mitigate injury risks.
Detailed description
The intervention consists of a specialized corrective exercise program focused on body segment alignment and injury risk mitigation, performed over an 8-week duration. Assessments were conducted pre- and post-intervention, including: Static Q angle measurements. Biomechanical analysis using the Landing Error Scoring System (LESS). Countermovement jump (CMJ) height to evaluate explosive power. The study analyzes whether integrating these exercises into in-season training effectively reduces the Q angle and improves jump-landing mechanics compared to a control group performing only standard volleyball training.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALStructured Corrective Exercise Program
The corrective exercise program was implemented 3 times per week for 8 weeks during the in-season period. The protocol focused on optimizing lower extremity alignment, improving neuromuscular control, and correcting faulty jump-landing patterns. Key components included exercises targeting body segment alignment, specific drills to reduce the Q angle, and neuromuscular training to enhance Landing Error Scoring System (LESS) scores. All sessions were integrated into the athletes' regular volleyball training schedule to ensure proper kinetic chain integration and injury risk mitigation.
Sponsors
Istanbul Gelisim University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
14 Years to 17 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Licensed young female volleyball players. Aged between 14 and 17 years. Willingness to participate voluntarily with parental and athlete consent.
Exclusion criteria
History of major lower extremity injuries or orthopedic surgery. Presence of any musculoskeletal or neurological condition that prevents participation in the exercise program. Lack of regular attendance at volleyball training sessions.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Static Q Angle | Baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention. | The measurement of the angle between the quadriceps muscle and the patellar tendon to assess lower extremity alignment. |
| Landing Error Scoring System (LESS) Score | Baseline and post-intervention (8 weeks). | A clinical tool used to assess jump-landing mechanics through video analysis. |
| Countermovement Jump (CMJ) Height | Baseline and post-intervention (8 weeks). | Measurement of vertical jump height to evaluate explosive power. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Contacts
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORBurak TAŞ, PhD
Istanbul Gelisim University
Outcome results
None listed