What is Knee Valgus?
Knee valgus is a common biomechanical fault where the knee caves inwards as one descends into a squat position. During the downward phase of the squat excessive hip adduction and internal rotation directs the knee into a vulnerable inward, caving position. Knee valgus can commonly occur during squatting or landing from a jump. This inward position of the knee may lead to both traumatic injury and/or chronic overuse injuries of the knee joint.
Why does Knee valgus typically occur?
There can be multiple causes of a valgus position of the knee joint during functional movements such as a squat. Weak hip muscles that are responsible for hip abduction and external rotation may cause the knee to cave inward due to there inability to produce sufficient muscle power and torque on the femur causing the femur to adduct and internally rotate. This impaired movement ultimately results in lack of knee control during the downward phase of a squat. Impaired quadricep to hamstring muscle strength ratio may also result in poor knee control and reduced secondary stabilization force. Poor ankle mobility may result in a compensatory inward position of the knee joint in order to complete the full squat movement desired. Lastly, altered proprioception and neuromuscular control may lead to abnormal motion of the knee joint. Lack of control of the knee, independent of adequate hip and knee muscle strength, may result in an inward cave of the knee joint during any squat or landing movement.
Why is Knee valgus dangerous?
Knee valgus can result in altered stresses within the knee joint leading to significant knee pain, patellofemoral pain syndrome, tendonitis, IT band syndrome, and predispose individuals to ACL injuries.
How does Sure Squat help with Knee valgus?
Sure Squat's crisscross design allows the bands to stretch across the user's glutes providing an outward force on the knee joint assisting better knee alignment as the user squats downward. This outward force prevents the user’s knee joint from caving inward into a valgus position. The stretch of the bands will also pull the hips back and encourages proper alignment and stability of the back, hips, and knees throughout the squat movement
