title: Lower limb control and strength in runners with and without patellofemoral pain syndrome.
abstract: Recreational runners with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) have been shown to present altered movement kinematics, muscle activations, and ground reaction forces (GRF) during running as well as decreased lower limb strength. However, these variables have never been concurrently evaluated in a specific cohort. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare lower limb control variables during running in recreational runners with and without PFPS. Lower limb control during treadmill running under typical training conditions (usual shoes, foot strike pattern, and speed) was compared between runners with (n=21) and without (n=20) PFPS using lower limb kinematics, electromyographic (EMG) recordings from representative muscles (gluteus medius/maximus, quadriceps and soleus), and vertical GRF. Isometric muscle strength was also evaluated. When comparing all runners from both groups, no between-group differences were found in variables commonly associated with PFPS such as peak hip adduction, hip internal rotation, contralateral pelvic drop, EMG of gluteal and quadriceps muscles, vertical loading rate, or lower limb strength. However, runners with PFPS showed significantly higher hip adduction at toe-off, lower excursion in hip adduction during late-stance, and longer duration of soleus activation. Sub-analyses were performed for females and for rearfoot strikers (RFS), and revealed that these subgroups accounted for most of between-group differences in hip adduction kinematics. Specifically for RFS with PFPS, lower activation of gluteus medius as well as lower GRF were observed. Our results suggest that deficits reported in runners with PFPS may vary depending on gender and on foot strike pattern.
authors: Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration, Quebec Rehabilitation Institute, 525, Boulevard Wilfrid Hamel, Quebec City (QC), Canada, G1M 2S8; Department of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Pavillon Ferdinand-Vandry, 1050, avenue de la Médecine, Quebec City (QC), Canada, G1R 1P5. Electronic address: jean-francois.esculier.1@ulaval.ca.
authors: Jean-Francois
authors: JF
authors: Esculier
authors: Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration, Quebec Rehabilitation Institute, 525, Boulevard Wilfrid Hamel, Quebec City (QC), Canada, G1M 2S8; Department of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Pavillon Ferdinand-Vandry, 1050, avenue de la Médecine, Quebec City (QC), Canada, G1R 1P5. Electronic address: jean-sebastien.roy@rea.ulaval.ca.
authors: Jean-Sébastien
authors: JS
authors: Roy
authors: Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration, Quebec Rehabilitation Institute, 525, Boulevard Wilfrid Hamel, Quebec City (QC), Canada, G1M 2S8; Department of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Pavillon Ferdinand-Vandry, 1050, avenue de la Médecine, Quebec City (QC), Canada, G1R 1P5. Electronic address: laurent.bouyer@rea.ulaval.ca.
authors: Laurent Julien
authors: LJ
authors: Bouyer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology*; D046788:Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012399:Rotation; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Anterior knee pain; Electromyography; Kinematics; Running