ABSTRACT
Introduction: The Q-angle is defined as the acute angle formed by the vectors for combined pull of the quadricepsfemoris muscle and the patellar tendon. It has a great clinical and biomechanics significance. The present studywas planned so as to study Q-angle in healthy young adult individuals and establish its relationship withdifferent anthropometric parameters.Material and methods: The subjects for the study were normal healthy young adult medical students from A.C.S.medical college, Chennai, India.148 subjects (80 girls and 68 boys)were studied. Males and females between theage of 18-20 years were included in the study. Q-angle was measured using standard goniometer. The Q-angle indegree was measured on both sides.These Q-angles were correlated with various anthropometric parameters (height, weight, BMI, WHR, pelvicwidth, femur length).Results: The mean Q-angle in males on left side was 8.1+1.83and that on right side was 8.6 +2.20The mean Q-angle in females on left side was 8.8+ 2.33 and that on right side was 8.9 + 2.52. There were nosignificant bilateral differences The Q-angle (Left) and Q-angle (Right) are significantly correlated with Weight(Kg), Waist (cm) and Hip (cm). However, these angles are not correlated with Weight for height or Waist for Hipratio, pelvic width and femur length in females.In case of males, height, BMI, Pelvic width measurements werefound to be correlated with Q-Left and Q-Right angle. Femur length was correlated only with Q-Left angle whilethere was no correlation with Q-Right angle.Conclusion: No significant differences in both gender was also noted, No significant bilateral differences wereseen. According to our study Q-angle does not vary with the age. Several anthropometric measures on correlatingwith Q-angle signify that irrespective of gender higher Q-angles are seen with those having high BMI, increasedwaist and hip-circumference.