Effect of different walking speed on the gait kinematics of individuals with knee varus

The purpose of current study was to investigate the spatio-temporal gait parameters and knee varus angle during walking at different speeds in young with knee varus. 18 subjects with varus deformity classified at grade 3 of bowleg and 17 healthy subjects, volunteered to participate in this study. The following variables include stance, swing, double support and cycle time, cadence, stride length, angle of varus at the heel contact, midstance and toe off when walking on the treadmill at speeds of 80, 100 and 120 percent of preferred walking speed, were measured from using the three-dimensional motion analysis system with six optoelectronic cameras. The results of between-group tests showed that spatio-temporal gait parameters in the varus group is similar to the normal group. Also varus angular variables in varus group, was indicate higher values in comparison to the healthy group, but there were no significant differences. The results of inter-group tests also showed the knee varus angle generally increases with increasing speed, that none of the differences were not significant. According to the results, the increase in walking speed will caused to increase knee varus angle. Therefore, walking with speed less than the normal walking speed, probably is a suitable solution to reduce the loads exerted on the knee joint and prevention of premature osteoarthritis in young with knee varus.