Introduction: Elbow joint with a complex muscle - skeletal and joint structure, has an important function as the mechanical interface in the upper limb, between the hand, wrist and shoulder joint. The angle between the forearm and upper arm in the frontal plate is called the carrying angle, which plays an important role in bearing the load. Carrying angle increases with age (1 and 2) and its increase is more in girls than boys. But there is contrary information on the relationship of carrying angle with height, length of the humerus bone, length of ulna bone and excessive laxity of the joint. For example, Tamaki et al. (2009) suggested that the increase in arm span increases the risk of spinal deformities. So this question appears that is there such a relationship between carrying angle, which is a known abnormality in side limbs, and anthropometric dimensions? Hence the purpose of this study is to compare the carrying angle of the elbow of professional athletes and its relationship with anthropometric factors of athletes’ side limbs.
Methodology: Present research is a correlational–comparative study. Statistical population of the study included volleyball players, handball players, basketball players and non-athletes of Guilan. In this study, the anthropometric indices of arm’s length, forearm’s length, hand length, shoulder width and arm span was measured according to standard methods. The carrying angle in a state of hand being in full extension and supination was also measured with universal goniometer. Statistical analysis was performed using spss22 (P≤0.05).
Results: According to the results of the study, the carrying angle of volleyball players was greater than non-athletes (P≤ 0.05), but there was no significant difference between the other groups (volleyball and basketball) and non-athletes (P> 0.05). The Discussion: According to the results of this study, identifying the athletes who use side limbs (receiving movements such as forearm receive in volleyball and hitting the ball on top of the head like a spike in volleyball) and based on the results of this study are more susceptible to changes in the carrying angle, require special sports medical care and probably specific training programs for side limbs to reduce the injuries and the incidence of undesirable changes in the structure and the direction of their elbows.