Comparative Study of Carrying Angle Among Athletes in Selected Sports and Non-athletes in South-South and South-East Nigeria

The study was carried out to compare the carrying angle of athletes in selected sports and non-athletes in South- South and South-East Nigeria, from age 22 to 36years old. Measurements were done using universal goniometer and flexible curve. A total of four hundred and seventy-two (472) males (140 non-athletes and 136 athletes) and female (115 non-athletes and 81 athletes) subjects were selected from South-South and South-East Nigeria using a purposive sampling technique for athletes and simple random sampling for non-athletes. Themean value and standard deviation of rightcarrying angle (RCA) for male is 11.00±2.460 for non-athletes and 11.79±2.440 for athletes while that of the female is 14.12±2.830 for non-athletes and 16.11±2.670 for athletes at p < 0.001. The mean value and standard deviation of left carrying angle (RCA) is 9.66±2.280 for male non-athletes and 9.89±2.280 for male athletes while that of the female is 12.47±2.590 for non-athletes and 13.39±1.950 for athletes at p < 0.001. Statistical analysis using T-test showed that the carrying angle is significantly higher in athletes (male and female) than in non-athletes at p<0.001 indicating changes in the alignment of anatomical structure due to sporting activities. The carrying angle is also significantly higher in females than in males at p<0.001 which indicates sexual dimorphism. The knowledge of these values is important because normal values of carrying angles are useful parameters in clinical anatomy, evaluation, repair and counselling in sports.

Key Words: Carrying angle, athletes and non-athletes