Effect of Neuromuscular Exercises versus Toe-in Squats on Intercondylar Distance in College Students with Genu Varum: A Comparative Experimental Study

Abstract

Background: Genu varum is a frontal-plane lower-limb deformity characterised by an increased intercondylar distance (ICD), resulting in altered lower-limb biomechanics and increased medial compartment loading of the knee. Exercise-based interventions have been proposed to improve lower-limb alignment; however, evidence comparing different exercise approaches remains limited.

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of neuromuscular exercises and toe-in squats in reducing intercondylar distance among college students with genu varum.

Methods: A comparative experimental study was conducted among 30 college students aged 18–25 years with an intercondylar distance (ICD) >5 cm. Participants were divided into two groups (n=15 each). Group A performed neuromuscular exercises, while Group B performed toe-in squats, three times weekly for four weeks. ICD was assessed pre- and post-intervention. Within and between group differences were analysed using paired and independent t-tests, respectively, at p<0.05.

Results: Both groups demonstrated statistically significant reductions in intercondylar distance following the intervention. The mean ICD decreased from 5.64 ± 0.277 cm to 5.50 ± 0.313 cm in the neuromuscular exercise group (t = 3.14, p = 0.001) and from 6.06 ± 0.725 cm to 5.07 ± 0.532 cm in the toe-in squat group (t = 9.12, p = 0.001). The between-group comparison showed no statistically significant difference at baseline (t = −2.09, p = 0.051), while a statistically significant difference was observed in the post-intervention comparison (t = 2.67, p = 0.001).

Conclusion: Both neuromuscular exercises and toe-in squats demonstrated statistically significant reductions in intercondylar distance among college students with genu varum. The post-intervention intercondylar distance was lower in the toe-in squat group than in the neuromuscular exercise group.