earticle

영어

Varus knee malalignment can alter neuromuscular control and contribute to functional imbalances during dynamic, load-bearing activities. This study compared lower limb neuromuscular activation between individuals with varus knee and those with clinically neutral alignment. Eighteen healthy males were classified into two groups based on medial knee displacement measured in a standing position: the varus group (≥30 mm, n = 9) and the control group (<30 mm, n = 9). Participants performed maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC) of the knee extensors/flexors and ankle dorsiflexors/plantarflexors, a 14-meter walking task, and a five-second overhead squat task (2s descent, 2s hold, 1s ascent). Surface electromyography recorded muscle activity from eight key lower limb muscles: rectus femoris (RF), vastus medialis (VM), vastus lateralis (VL), biceps femoris (BF), semitendinosus (ST), tibialis anterior (TA), gastrocnemius medialis (GM), and gastrocnemius lateralis (GL). No significant differences were found between groups during MVIC or walking tasks (p > 0.05). However, during the descending phase of the squat, GL activation was significantly higher in the varus group (p < 0.05), and during the holding phase, RF and VM activation levels were also significantly greater in the varus group (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that individuals with varus knee exhibit compensatory neuromuscular strategies during complex movements, emphasizing the need for alignment-specific neuromuscular interventions.