The quadriceps angle (Q angle) has been used to reflect the quadriceps muscle's force on the patella in the frontal plane. Previous investigations of the Q angle and it's relationship to knee disorders have yield equivocal results. The purpose of this study was to analyze the factors related to the Q angle and it's relation to other variables such as leg length, body weight, CTA (calcaneus to tibia angle), TOA (toe out angle), and pelvic width in normal subjects. The participants were 60 students (30 men and 30 women) who had no orthopedic and neurological impairments, aged from 20 to 29 years of age, with an average age of 22.1 years. Prior to participation, each subject was informed of the procedures of the experiment from a researcher and assistant researchers. The equipment used in this study were modified standard goniometer, ruler, marking pen, and Martin apparatus for pelvic width. In order to determine the statistical significance of the experiment, regression analysis, independent t-test, and Pearson correlation were used at the 0.05 level. The results were as follows: 1) It was found that the Q angle of women is greater than that of men's from both knees. 2) There was no significant difference between right and left quadriceps angle. 3) The Q angle decreased as the body weight (leg length) shifted from low to high. 4) It seems that factors related to the Q angle were body weight, CTA, and pelvic width, but there was no significant difference at the 0.05 level.

• 권혁철(대구대학교 재활과학대학 물리치료학과) | Kwon Hyuk-cheol