Comparison of Balance and Core Stability between Female Students with Genu Recurvatum and Their Healthy Counterparts

Genu recurvatum deformity shifts the mechanical axis of the lower extremity posteriorly, which may disturb balance and stability. The goal of this study was to compare the balance and core stability of female students with and without genu recurvatum.

This case-control study was conducted on 25 female students with genu recurvatum (mean age: 14.88±0.6 years) and 25 healthy counterparts (mean age: 15±0 years) in city of Salmas (Iran). The criterion for genu recurvatum was a 5-degree knee hyperextension. To measure static and dynamic balance, we used the stork balance stand test and Y test, and to measure core stability, we used the Sorensen, plank, side plank, and 60-degree sitting tests.

The mean values of static balance of dominant (19.86±3.64) and non-dominant (17.16±4.67) leg of healthy students were significantly higher than that of students with genu recurvatum (14.44±2.03 and 10.53±1.66, respectively) (P<0.05). The median values of the dynamic balance of the dominant (32.04) and non-dominant (31.84) leg of healthy students were significantly higher than that of students with genu recurvatum (18.96 and 19.16, respectively) (P<0.05). The median values of central stability for the Sorensen (30.40), plank (30.58), lateral plank (31.04), and sitting (34.12) tests in healthy students were significantly better than the median values of central stability for the Sorensen (42.60), plank (20.20), lateral plank (19.96), and sitting (16.88) tests in students with genorcorvatum (P<0.05).

The balance and core stability of female students with genu recurvatum deformity is poor compared to their healthy counterparts.