Lower extremity strength and mechanics during jumping in women with patellofemoral pain

J Sport Rehabil. 2009 Feb;18(1):76-90. doi: 10.1123/jsr.18.1.76.

Abstract

Context: Lower extremity (LE) weakness might be associated with altered mechanics during weight bearing in subjects with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS).

Objective: To analyze LE strength, mechanics, and the association between these variables among women with and without PFPS during a simulated athletic task.

Design: Case control.

Setting: Motion-analysis laboratory.

Subjects: 20 women with PFPS and 20 healthy women.

Main outcome measures: Peak isometric lateral trunk-flexion, hip-abduction, hip external-rotation, knee-flexion, and knee-extension strength, as well as hip- and knee-joint excursions and angular impulses during single-leg jumps.

Results: PFPS subjects produced less hip-abduction, hip external-rotation, and trunk lateral-flexion force than the control group. The PFPS group also demonstrated greater hip-adduction excursion and hip-abduction impulses. The association between the strength measurements and LE mechanics was low.

Conclusions: Women with PFPS demonstrate specific weaknesses and altered LE mechanics. Weakness is not, however, highly correlated with observed differences in mechanics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Physiological
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Isometric Contraction*
  • Knee Joint / physiopathology
  • Leg / physiopathology*
  • Muscle Strength*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiopathology*
  • Pain Measurement
  • Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome / physiopathology*
  • Statistics as Topic
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Weight-Bearing
  • Young Adult