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

Abstract

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. 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). 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.). 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.