> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.uplift.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Knee Valgus

> Medial knee displacement (valgus motion) at bottom or over eccentric/concentric phases during the squat.

## Technical Details

* **Variable Type:** Discrete Metric
* **Data Type:** Float
* **Units:** meters (m)
* **Column Name:** Varies by event/phase and squat type
* **Aggregation:** mean
* **Precision:** 2
* **Optimal Direction:** Lower is better
* **Measurement:** Medial displacement of the knee
* **Direction:** outward positive (+), inward negative (-)

## Events / Phases

This metric can be reported at different events or phases depending on squat type:

* **At Bottom:** At the [Bottom](/biomechanics/activities/squat/events/bottom) event.
  * Column examples: `right_knee_valgus_at_bottom`, `left_knee_valgus_at_bottom` (bodyweight, overhead, single leg).
* **Eccentric Full:** Maximum knee valgus during the eccentric phase ([Initiation](/biomechanics/activities/squat/events/initiation) to [Bottom](/biomechanics/activities/squat/events/bottom)).
  * Column examples: `right_valgus_distance_eccentric`, `left_valgus_distance_eccentric` (bodyweight, overhead); `left_valgus_distance_eccentric`, `right_valgus_distance_eccentric` (single leg, per stance leg).
* **Concentric Full:** Maximum knee valgus during the concentric phase ([Ascent Start](/biomechanics/activities/squat/events/ascent-start) to [End](/biomechanics/activities/squat/events/end)).
  * Column examples: `right_valgus_distance_Concentric` / `right_valgus_distance_concentric`, `left_valgus_distance_concentric` (bodyweight, overhead); single leg uses left/right per stance leg.

## Description

Knee valgus measures the amount of medial (inward) knee motion during the squat.
Excessive knee valgus motion is associated with increased injury risk and suboptimal loading.
Reported separately for left and right in bilateral squats; single-leg squats report the stance-leg side.

## Use Cases

* Injury risk screening
* Movement quality and knee control
* Bilateral comparison