A prática do futebol acentua os graus de Geno Varo / Does soccer practice stress the degrees of genu varo

Estudos têm mostrado uma varização progressiva entre os períodos de infância e adolescência. Variáveis como idade, peso, ingestão hormonal e vitamínica, ambiente e o treinamento de futebol podem interferir no alinhamento do joelho. OBJETIVOS: A) Comparar o alinhamento do joelho de praticantes e não praticantes de futebol; e B) Determinar associações entre este alinhamento com variáveis antropométricas e neuromotoras da aptidão física. MÉTODOS: A distância intercondilar (DIC) e a intermaleolar (DIM) foram mensuradas em centímetros em 128 adolescentes com idades entre 14 a 17 anos, dentre os quais 65 eram praticantes de futebol e 63 não eram praticantes de tal modalidade. As variáveis antropométricas mensuradas foram peso e estatura, enquanto as neuromotoras inclusas foram agilidade e velocidade. RESULTADOS: Os praticantes de futebol apresentaram graus mais acentuados de joelho varo do que os não jogadores de futebol em todas as idade; entretanto, apenas nos 14 e 17 anos e no grupo total (todas idade juntas) essa diferença foi estatisticamente significativa (p < 0,05). Geno valgo (DIM) tende a ser menor nos praticantes de futebol em todas as idade quando comparados com os não jogadores de futebol; entretanto, tal diferença foi estatisticamente significativa (p < 0,05) apenas nos 17 anos de idade e no grupo total. A DIC nos praticantes de futebol apresentou correlação (p < 0,05) com a agilidade (r = -0,27) e o peso (r = -0,27), enquanto a DIM apresentou correlação (p < 0,05) com o peso (r = 0,26). CONCLUSÃO: Praticantes de futebol mostram um alinhamento do joelho mais acentuado a favor do varismo do que os não praticantes de futebol. Houve associação significativa entre os graus de geno varo e valgo com o peso e a agilidade; nesse sentido, sugere-se mais estudos para explicar essa interessante relação. Os achados do presente estudo suportam a hipótese de que o futebol acentua os graus de geno varo e/ou os sujeitos são selecionados naturalmente para tal prática.

Studies have shown a progressive variation between the childhood and adolescence periods. Variables such as age, weight, vitamin/hormone intake, the environment and soccer training may interfere in the knee alignment. OBJECTIVE: a- to compare the knee alignment in soccer and non-soccer practitioners, and b- to determine associations between this alignment and anthropometric and neuromotor variables. METHODS: The intercondylar (IC) and intermalleolar (IM) distances were measured in centimeters in 128 male aged from 14-17 years, soccer practitioners (n=65) and non-practitioners (n=63). The anthropometric variables measured were: body weight and height, whereas the neuromotor variables included agility and speed. RESULTS: Soccer players revealed a greater degree of genu varum (IC) than non-soccer players in all ages, but just in 14, 17 years-old and total group (all ages together) these differences were statistically significant (p< .05). Genu valgum (IM) tended to be less remarkable in soccer players than in non-soccer players in all ages; however, significant differences were observed only in 17 years and total group (p< .05). The IC distances in soccer players correlated (p< .05) with agility (r= .-27), weight (r= .-27); while IM distances correlated (p< .05) with weight(r=.26). CONCLUSION: Soccer players showed more remarkable genu varum than the non-soccer players. There was a significant association between degrees of varus and valgum with body weight and agility. Such fact deserves further investigation in order to explain this interesting correlation. Present findings support the hypothesis that soccer leads to greater varus and/or this sport naturally selects subjects with a certain degree of varus.

Angular deformities of the lower limb in children

Angular deformities of the lower limbs are common during childhood. In most cases this represents a variation in the normal growth pattern and is an entirely benign condition. Presence of symmetrical deformities and absence of symptoms, joint stiffness, systemic disorders or syndromes indicates a benign condition with excellent long-term outcome. In contrast, deformities which are asymmetrical and associated with pain, joint stiffness, systemic disorders or syndromes may indicate a serious underlying cause and require treatment. Little is known about the relationship between sport participation and body adaptations during growth. Intense soccer participation increases the degree of genu varum in males from the age of 16. Since, according to some investigation, genu varum predisposes individuals to more injuries, efforts to reduce the development of genu varum in soccer players are warranted. In this article major topics of angular deformities of the knees in pediatric population are particularly reviewed