Effects of Self Myofascial Release, Elastic Band, and Stretching Exercises on Lower Extremity Alignment and Gait in Female Genu Varum

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an 8-week SMR, stretching, and band program on lower limb alignment (distance between the knees, Q angle) and gait (gait speed, stride length, impulse, and peak pressure) in female in their 20s who have genu varum. Method: The participants, female in their 20s who had genu varum, were randomly divided into the SMR, Stretching, and Band group (SSB, n=9), Stretching and Band group (SB, n=9), and Control Group (CG, n=9). Experimental group A (SSB) performed 3 50-minute sessions of the program per week for 8 weeks while the experimental group B (SB) performed stretching and band correctional exercise in 3 40-minute sessions per week for 8 weeks. The control group had no correctional exercise program. Results: Only the SSB group showed a significant increase in gait velocity and stride length in this study. The SSB and SB group showed a significant decrease of impulse on the forefoot after exercise program suggests that SMR and elastic band exercise had a positive effect on the distribution of foot pressure. Conclusion: We concluded that 8-week genu varum correctional exercise program had beneficial effects on the gait parameters (gait velocity, stride length, impulse, peak pressure) in 20s women with genu varum.