LEG DOMINANCE EFFECTS ON KNEE KINEMATICS IN UNILATERAL AND BILATERAL SQUATS

Abstract

Squatting movements are often used to assess known risk factors of injury such as knee valgus angle. This study aims to investigate the knee kinematics during unilateral and bilateral squats in relation to the dominant and non-dominant leg. Five uninjured participants completed three squats in three conditions; dominant unilateral, non-dominant unilateral and bilateral. Knee extension and valgus angles were calculated. Maximum knee valgus angle was higher in the nondominant unilateral trial than the same leg during the bilateral squat (unilateral = 10.6", bilateral = 8.4"; p < 0.05). Knee extension angles were significantly lower during bilateral squats (unilateral = 11 1 .go & 109.2", bilateral = 97.5" 8 98.2'; p < 0.05). Limb dominance effects knee valgus during squatting, and should therefore be taken into account during injury risk assessments.