Investigating Tibialis Anterior Muscle Activity Levels in Patients With Genu Varum During Single-Leg Jump-Landing Task

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effect of genu varum abnormality on the activity of the anterior leg calf muscle during single-leg jump-landing task.  Methods: A total of 28 male students of Physical Education (Mean±SD age: 21.53±1.65 y, weight: 66.67±7.15 kg, height: 173.38±4.54 cm) were assigned into the genu varum (n=14) and normal knee (n=14) groups. Their level of activity of tibialis anterior muscle and ground reaction force were analyzed using an electromyography and force plate in single-leg jump-landing task. In order to analyze the data, the Independent t test was used at the significance level of P<0.05. In jump-landing task, the subjects were required to jump up to 50% of maximum vertical jump and land with one leg on the plate. Root-Mean Square (RMS) level of tibialis anterior muscle was calculated by MATLAB.  Results: The study results showed no significant differences between genu varum and normal knee groups (P>0.05) in the mean scores of the tibialis anterior muscular activity before and after landing.  Conclusion: In performing the jump-landing task, tibialis anterior muscular activity of the two groups was similar before and after floor contact. Therefore, activity of tibialis anterior muscle does not seem responsible for differences observed in the balance between people with genu varum and normal knee. In addition to biomechanical reasons, other muscles or muscle groups might responsible for weaker balance observed in people with genu varum.