Soccer players have a higher incidence of bow legs due to athletic stress
the verdict
SUPPORTED
the evidence backs this
confidence 82/100
Multiple studies demonstrate that soccer and football players exhibit a high incidence of bow legs (genu varum), which becomes more pronounced with increasing age and sports participation due to athletic stress and structural adaptations.
Evidence for · 4
Stress fractures of the medial malleolus in the professional soccer player demonstrate excellent outcomes when treated with open reduction internal fixation and arthroscopic spur debridement.
2019 · cited by 10
Paper 3 notes that lower limb varus alignment (bow legs) is prevalent in professional soccer players and linked to athletic stress fractures.
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More for · 3
Analysis of Genu Varum in Young Male Professional Soccer Players
2025 · cited by 3
Paper 4 demonstrates a significant increase in static and dynamic varus alignment (bow legs) with age in young professional soccer players.
Tibial genu varum and primary cam morphology in healthy young adults: A cross-sectional study uncovering the double threat to joint health.
2026 · cited by 0
Paper 8 finds that higher sports activity is significantly associated with increased tibial genu varum (bow legs).
The influence of the lower limb components on genu varum in football players: a full leg length magnetic resonance imaging study.
2025 · cited by 0
Paper 10 evaluates lower extremity alignment and finds notable genu varum (bow legs) in football players resulting from athletic structural adaptations.