This systematic review evaluates how various exercise interventions impact dynamic knee valgus (DKV), a hazardous inward collapse of the knee linked to ligament tears and chronic pain.

By analyzing ten different studies, the authors compare top-down strategies focusing on hip and core strength with bottom-up approaches targeting ankle mobility.

The findings suggest that programs combining hip and ankle exercises or focusing specifically on the proximal hip muscles are most effective at improving knee alignment during physical activity.

Conversely, general strength training that neglects functional specificity or muscles directly crossing the knee joint often fails to produce significant biomechanical changes.

Ultimately, the research highlights that targeted neuromuscular training can successfully modify movement patterns to help prevent lower limb injuries in both athletes and clinical patients.

(Sahabuddin FNA, Jamaludin NI, Amir NH, Shaharudin S. The effects of hip- and ankle-focused exercise intervention on dynamic knee valgus: a systematic review. PeerJ [Internet]. 2021;9(e11731):e11731. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.11731)