Purpose:The purpose of this lab is to compare the Q angle in both men and women and
Background: Goniometry is the measurement of the range of motion in different joints. This is
important because it allows the athletic trainer to ensure that the athlete has proper range of
motion. This is important in assessing the knee because we can see how the quadriceps are
pulling on the patella. It also allows us the identify any patellofemoral pathology. Girth
measurements are usually taken to measure the growth of someone overtime. The Q angle of the
knee is a measurement of the angle between the quadriceps muscles and the patella tendon and
provides useful information about the alignment of the knee joint. With an excessively high or
low Q angle, some motions can be restricted and may cause injury.
Hypothesis: I hypothesize that the women will have a greater Q angle than the men due to a
1. Define the deformities, abnormalities and conditions listed in Analysis Question #1.
2. Using your iPad find a photograph of the deformity . Copy and paste that photograph in
3. Q Angle Measurements: For each of the people in your group, measure the Q angle for both
a. The stationary arm should be in line from the ASIS through the center of the patella
tuberosity.
4. Girth Measurements: For each of the people in your group, obtain the girth measurements for
e. Using a tape measure, find the circumference of the leg at each line.
Data:
Alex 14 13
Dean 11 12
Levi 12 10
Christine 11 12
Griffin 12 11
Teddy 12 12
Julian 11 12
Lilli 12 13
Jessica 11 12
19.5in
Griffin 17 in, 19 in, 22 in, 23.25 in 17 in, 18.25 in, 19 in, 21.5 in
Teddy 14.5 in, 16 in, 18 in, 19 in 15.5 in, 15.5 in, 17 in, 19 in
Jessica 16 in., 17.25in., 18in., 19in. 16.5 in., 17.75 in, 18.5 in, 19
in
Analysis:
Genu valgum - • commonly called knocked kneed where the knee angle in and touch each other
Genu varum - bowing at the knees, which is where is lower leg is angles inward in relation to the
thigh
Genu recurvatum - where the knee bends backwards due to excessive extension in the tibial
femoral joint
Patella alta - describes a situation where the patella position is considered higher than normal
Patella baja - describes a situation where the patella position is considered lower than normal
Squinting patella - this is when the kneecaps face each other the the patient stands in a relaxed
position
Frog-eyed patella - the patella points outward while riding high and positioned laterally due to
2. Photographs :
3. Displayed in my group, (left/right), Jessica had 11/12, Alex had 14/13, Dean had 11/12, Levi
has 12/10, Christine had 11/12, Griffin had 12/11, Teddy had 12/12, Julian has 11/12, and Lilli
had 12/13. All of the females displayed a low Q angle in comparison to the average. The males
for the most part were all pretty close to the average, usually differing by one or two degrees.
4. Jessica had girths 16, 17.25, 18, and 19 in her left knee and she had girths of 16.5, 17.75, 18.5,
and 19 in her right knee. Alex had girths of 17, 18, 19, and 21 inches in her left knee and she had
girths of 16.5, 17.5, 19, and 21 inches in her right knee. Dean had girths of 14, 15, 16.5, and 19
inches in his left knee and he had girths of 14.5, 15, 17, and 19 inches in his right knee. Levi has
girths of 16.5, 17, 19, and 21 inches in his left knee and he had girths of 16, 18, 19, and 21.5
inches in his right knee. Christine had girths of 16.25, 17.5, 18.25, and 19.5 inches in her left
knee and had girths of 17, 18, 19, and 19.5 inches in her right knee. Griffin had girths of 17, 19,
22, and 23.25 inches in his left knee and he had girths of 17, 18.25, 19, 21.5 inches in his right
knee. Teddy had girths of 14.5, 16, 18, and 19 inches in his left knee and he had girths of 15.5,
15.5, 17, and 19 inches in his right knee. Julian had girths of 14, 15, 17, and 19.5 inches in his
left knee and he had girths of 14, 15.5, 18, and 20 inches in his right knee. Lilli's had girths of
14.5, 16, 18, and 19 inches in her left knee and she had girths of 15, 16, 18, and 19 inches in her
right knee. No one had a very big difference between the left and right legs. The larges was
Griffin who has 23.5 inches on his left leg and 21 inches on the right leg. This is due to an ACL
1. My hypothesis was supported because the girls had a average Q angle of 12 on the left leg and
12.5 on the right leg. The boys had an average of 11.6 on the left and 11.4 on the right.
2. No one would be in high risk for injury because no one had a very drastic difference in the leg
girths, and everyone has very moderate Q angles.This allows for the equal work of muscles in
the leg.
3. By measuring both the Q angle and girths of ND athletes we could find those of are at high
risk for injury. Based on these result we can create a plan to help strengthen surrounding muscles
to prevent injury.