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Effects of the use of oral contraceptives on hip and knee kinematics in healthy women during anterior stair descent

  • Knee
  • Published:
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

Purpose

Our aim was to evaluate the effects of the use of oral contraceptives (OC) on the hip and knee kinematics of healthy women during anterior stair descent.

Methods

Forty volunteers aged from 18 to 26 years were divided into two groups: 1—Group of women who had used OC for at least 3 months prior to evaluation (n = 20) and 2—Group of women who did not use OC (n = 20). The knee flexion/extension and abduction/adduction, hip flexion/extension, abduction/adduction and medial/lateral rotation excursions (degrees) were calculated for the dominant (supporting) limb during anterior stair descent. T tests for independent samples were used to compare the kinematic differences between the groups (α = 0.05).

Results

No significant difference was verified between the groups regarding the maximum excursion of knee flexion (n.s.) and abduction (n.s.) or hip flexion (n.s.), adduction (n.s.) and medial rotation (n.s.). When considering the knee flexion at 50°, no significant difference was verified between the groups regarding the excursion of knee abduction (n.s.) or hip flexion (n.s.) adduction (n.s.) and medial/lateral rotation (n.s.).

Conclusion

These results suggest that the use of OC does not influence the hip and knee kinematics during anterior stair descent. Therefore, the role of this medication as a protective factor against anterior cruciate ligament injuries remains questionable.

Level of evidence

III.

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Acknowledgments

This project was financially supported by the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)—Process no. 479177/2008-2. The authors would also like to acknowledge assistance from the PIBIC/CNPq/UFSCar.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that there are no conflicting interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Therapy, São Carlos Federal University, São Carlos, SP, Brazil

    Daniel Ferreira Moreira Lobato, Rodrigo de Marche Baldon, Paloma Yan Lam Wun & Fábio Viadanna Serrão

  2. School of Physical Education and Sport, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil

    Paulo Roberto Pereira Santiago

  3. Departamento de Fisioterapia, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Rodovia Washington Luis, km 235, São Carlos, SP, CEP: 13565-905, Brazil

    Daniel Ferreira Moreira Lobato

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  1. Daniel Ferreira Moreira Lobato
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  2. Rodrigo de Marche Baldon
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  5. Fábio Viadanna Serrão
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Correspondence to Fábio Viadanna Serrão.

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Lobato, D.F.M., Baldon, R.d.M., Wun, P.Y.L. et al. Effects of the use of oral contraceptives on hip and knee kinematics in healthy women during anterior stair descent. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 21, 2823–2830 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-012-2248-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-012-2248-3

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