Features of Elite Athletes' High and Asymmetric Quadriceps Angles: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: To conduct a large-scale survey of Quadriceps angles (Q-angles) in elite athletes and clarify the characteristics and potential implications of high and asymmetric Q-angles for injury risk. Design: This cross-sectional study utilized Q-angle data obtained during medical check-ups of elite national team male and female athletes at our facility over a 20-year period. Methods: We analyzed the height and asymmetry of the Q-angle in 11,616 elite athletes, examining sex differences through logistic regression analysis. Results: Analysis of 23,094 knees revealed a significant prevalence of high Q-angles in female athletes (13.2%) compared to male athletes (4.2%) with an odds ratio (OR) of 3.47 (p < 0.05, 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.13–3.84), and a higher rate of Q-angle asymmetry in females (27.9%) than in males (22.7%) with an OR of 1.26 (p < 0.05, 95% CI: 1.16–1.34). Conclusion: Our findings highlight a significant gender disparity in high and asymmetric Q-angles among elite athletes, underscoring the need for gender-specific approaches in injury prevention and further research into the biomechanical effects of Q-angle variances.