Abstract des Autors

Biomechanical abnormalities have frequently been implicated as causative factors for injuries of the lower limb as a result of physical activity. However, there have been few conclusive studies in this field due to a variety of poorly-described methodologies with little reliability testing for the methods employed. From a review of literature, it appears that those measures which may be considered to be reliable (with certain limitations) are: arch height measured by calliper, the Beighton Score for ligamentous laxity, leg length discrepancy measured clinically, static Q-angle, knee hyperextension and tibial varus measured by goniometer and photographs, standing foot angle measured by goniometer and rearfoot angle measured using photographs. However, further clarification of standardized methodology and the reliability and repeatability of these methods is necessary. Those measures which consistently show poor reliability are: subtalar joint passive range of motion (including finding the subtalar joint neutral position), forefoot angle and the navicular drop test. Verf.-Referat