Abstract

AKODU, A K  and  AKINDELE, O A. Limb length discrepancy and gait parameters of amateur football players in Lagos State, Nigeria. SA J. Sports Med. [online]. 2020, vol.32, n.1, pp.1-3. ISSN 2078-516X.  https://doi.org/10.17159/2078-516x/2020/v32i1a8029.

BACKGROUND: Football is a widely played sport globally. Limb length discrepancies have been found to be common among football players and these may lead to abnormal gait. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between limb length discrepancy (LLD) and gait parameters of amateur football players in Lagos State, Nigeria. METHODS: Eighty-nine amateur football players participated in the cross-sectional study. They were recruited from different stadia in Lagos State. Limb length and gait parameters were measured using tape and footprint measurements. RESULTS: The prevalence of real limb length discrepancy among the participants was 75% (n = 67). The results of this study showed that the right leg was the shorter leg in 60% (n = 53) of the participants. There was no significant correlation between gait parameters and limb length measurement. CONCLUSION: Although limb length discrepancy is common among amateur football players in Lagos State, the relationship between limb length and gait parameters is weak.

Keywords : athletes; real leg length; step length; spatial distance.

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