The comparison of balance between 11-14 years old athletes with and without genu varum

Objective: Balance is the most basic function of the neuromuscular system in performing all simple and complex­ activities that­­­ contribute to­ health-related physical­­­­­ fitness. Musculoskeletal deformity especially, genu varum in the Lower extremity abnormality has negative effect on body biomechanics in walking and running. The aim of this study was to the comparison of balance between 11-14 years old athletes with and without genu varum. Methods: This study used a causal-comparative design. From total 580 amateur adolescent athletes of Mariwan clubs who involved in basketball, ­handball and volleyball that take apart three times per week, 21subject with genu varum with mean age of 13.15 ±1.22 yr, height of 1.68±2.32 cm, and weight of 51.23 ±4.48kg. And 21subject without genu varum with mean age of 12.95±1.17yr, height of 1.67±1.45 m, weight of 49.49 ±3.48kg were recruited. Deformity of genu varum was assessed with caliper. Static and dynamic balance was evaluated by Bass stick test and Y balance test respectively. Data analysis was performed by independent samples T test.                                                                      Results: ­t-test showed no significant difference between static balance in genu varum and healthy athletes (P=0.61), while significant differences were observed in direction of posterior-medial (P=0.003) and posterior- lateral (P=0.004) in dynamic balance test between groups. Conclusion: it seems that the negative effect of deformity could worsen over time. Therefore, it can be concluded that effective training and protective effort in the adolescent years maybe decreases the effect of abnormality on balance.