Drop jump landing knee valgus angle; normative data in a physically active population

OBJECTIVE: Establish normative values for knee valgus angle during drop jump and step landings. DESIGN: Observational. SETTING: University biomechanics laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: 100 physically active asymptomatic individuals (50 male, 50 female) aged 18-28 years old. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Knee valgus angle during drop jump and step landings. RESULTS: There were no differences between genders during the step landing task (p < 0.12) but there were differences during the drop jump landing task (p < 0.048). Both males and females showed no significant differences between sides for either of the tasks (p > 0.05) or between the valgus angle generated for either of the tasks (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: It would appear in order to be regarded as an average "normal" performance during a drop jump landing task knee valgus angle should be symmetrical and in the range of 7-13 degrees for females and 3-8 degrees for males. For a unilateral step landing task knee valgus angle should be symmetrical and in the range of 5-12 degrees for females and 1-9 degrees for males.