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Does soccer cause bowlegs? A recent review caused some commotion by stating
Many studies show that soccer players have a greater incidence of having bowlegs. This article goes into the incidence of soccer players and bowlegs. Furthermore, we try to find out how to best avoid it and how to deal with it.
What Are Bowlegs
Few people have perfectly straight legs. Most people have their knees slightly inward or slightly outward. When the knees are to close together it is termed knocked knees, when they have separated it’s called bowlegs. Bowlegs and knocked knees both have a misalignment of the knees. In bowlegs, the tibia is usually misaligned with the knee. Having bowlegs could mean an adaptation to overuse of exercise.
Does Soccer Cause Bowlegs
Probably because of the combination of the duration of play, turns and jumps, and kicking, soccer players have a greater incidence of bowlegs than the general public. It’ s not necessary soccer that causes bowlegs. Researchers found that intensive sports focus too much on repetitive tasks. This intensive focus can create very strong muscles on the inside of the legs and cause an adaptation. Looking at different sports it seems that especially volleyball increases the incidence of bowlegs. Furthermore, tennis and jogging see a higher incidence of one of the key elements that are seen as an indicator of bowlegs. Below is the incidence of bowlegs in males and different sports.
How Soccer Can Cause Bowlegs
One of the main features of soccer is kicking a ball. When you kick a ball, your standing leg can curve to provide better balance. This curve in the leg can tighten the inside muscles of the legs and causes them to bend. As you can see in the picture below, your standing leg bends to the outside. This does not mean that the bones are bent, but the alignment of the bones to the knee is not straight.
How Bowlegs Can Actually Help You
A Belgian professor Johan Bellemans doesn’t argue in favor of bowlegs but explains that it can aid for soccer players. Bowlegs can give you more stability when you shoot and can provide a better ability to turn and change direction. There are numerous examples of famous soccer players with bowlegs, some of famous soccer players with bowlegs are Giggs, Rivaldo, Wouters, Garrincha. See the examples below.
Studies Show No Causality With Illness
Different studies show different results. Most studies are looking for the misalignment in the knees that results in bow legs. The association is made that this knee misalignment is the cause of knee arthritis. The problem with this theory is the fact that is associated is often not found. Studies find that knee misalignment is not associated with knee arthritis. This study found
Neither baseline anatomic axis alignment nor condylar tibial plateau angle is associated with incident TF OA. The absence of an association persists even when only medial compartment disease is considered knee osteoarthritis (AO) incident tibiofemoral (TF)
Furthermore, Professor Marcus Schiltenwolf, note that;
What Can You Do To Prevent Bowlegs
Once you have bowlegs in adulthood, it’s difficult to get rid of. There are, however, ways to prevent bowlegs.
Avoid Fluoride
Although hailed as the savior of teeth, fluoride has negative effects on bones and is associated with bowlegs. Limiting fluoride and removing it from the tap water would be a safe option.
Keep Your Vitamin D and Calcium Up
Both calcium and vitamin D deficiency can cause bone and joint deformities. The lack of especially vitamin D can result in rickets. One of the effects of rickets can be bowlegs.
Check Your Thyroid
A person low in the thyroid hormones (hypothyroid) can see an increase in angular deformities. Since bowlegs are classified as angular deformities, it makes sense to make sure your thyroid is in order. A simple TSH (thyroid supporting hormone) test, could be sufficient. Always consult a doctor.
I Have Bowlegs, What Can I do?
For the longest time, it was thought that bowlegs could not get fixed without surgery. Newer studies, however, find that improvements can be made. Some Korean study found that simple exercises can improve your bowlegs
Toe Squats
22 students performed either a normal squat or a squat with the toes towards each other. After performing the toe squat 20 times, 3 times per week for 6 weeks, the scientist noticed a decrease in space between the knees. See the exercise below, from here.
Later research showed a decrease in knee-space after a narrow squat. As the authors noted;
Stretches
Some studies find that certain muscles are tighter in people with bowlegs. The most frequently seen tight muscles are the vastus of the quadriceps and the iliopsoas. Especially the vastus medialis and Iliopsoas need to be stretched. Perform the stretches below 3 times a week for at least 30 seconds
A tighter vastus of the quadriceps and tighter iliopsoas are related to greater genu varum
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