The Effect of Stretching and Elastic Band Exercises Knee Space Distance and Plantar Pressure Distribution during Walking in Young Individuals with Genu Varum

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of stretching and elastic band exercise on the knee space distance and plantar pressure distribution in people with genu varum. METHODS: The subjects of this study were students of a college who had genu varum of 14 subjects. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups as a stretching group (n=7, 4 males and 3 females, age: $20.14{\pm}2.54years$, height: $167.1{\pm}9.78cm$, weight: $58.6{\pm}10.13kg$) and a Thera-band group (n=7, 5 males and 2 females, age: $19.85{\pm}2.04years$, height: $166.5{\pm}5.82cm$, weight: $54.2{\pm}5.59kg$). The stretching and the There-band exercises were performed three times per a week, for four weeks. We measured changes in plantar pressure during walking, using a Gait Analyzer and distance of both knees at pre and post-intervention. RESULTS: These results suggest that the space distance of both knees showed differences before and after the intervention. The plantar pressure distribution was no changes in both groups before and after the intervention except for the left foot in a stretching group. CONCLUSION: As a result, the space distance of knees in both groups was significantly reduced. These result suggested that the Thera-band and stretching exercises were effective ways in alleviating genu varum.