Regional Associations Between Q-Angle and Plantar Loading in Active Young Adults

This observational study is designed to investigate the association between Q-angle and plantar loading characteristics in physically active young adults. Q-angle is a commonly used measure of lower-extremity alignment, but its relationship with regional plantar loading during gait has not been fully clarified.

Participants will undergo bilateral Q-angle assessment under standardized conditions and dynamic pedobarographic evaluation during walking. Plantar pressure variables will be obtained for different foot regions, including the toes, forefoot, midfoot, hindfoot, and total foot. The primary objective is to determine whether Q-angle is associated with selected regional plantar loading variables. Secondary analyses will explore whether these associations differ according to sex and limb dominance.

Statistical analyses will be performed using linear mixed-effects models to account for within-subject dependence between bilateral measurements.This study focuses on the relationship between lower-extremity alignment and regional plantar loading patterns in physically active young adults.

Inclusion criteria

(1) being within the predefined young age range, (2) being physically active according to the IPAQ-SF based assessment, and (3) willingness to participate voluntarily.

Exclusion criteria

(1) history of lower extremity injury within the previous 6 months, (2) previous lower extremity surgery, (3) known neurological or vestibular disorder affecting gait or balance, (4) current musculoskeletal pain in the spine or lower extremities during assessment, (5) diagnosed structural lower extremity deformity, and (6) inability to complete the assessment procedures independently.