muscle tightness, trauma, overweight, genetic predisposition, valgus or varus knee, external tibial torsion, increased QorigiNAl reSeArch ArTicle incidence of non-traumatic anterior knee pain among 11 -17-year-olds Abstract Objective. To investigate the incidence of anterior knee pain, as well as the effect of sport participation, age of onset and gender differences on the condition.Design. Questionnaires (N = 2 414), each containing 20 questions, were distributed to 10 -17-year-old learners at 8 primary and 5 high schools in the Empangeni/Richards Bay area. The return rate was 76%.Results. Twenty-seven per cent of the respondents reported anterior knee pain. Of these, 21% experienced pain in the left knee only, 34% in the right knee only, and 45% in both knees. Furthermore, 31% had visited a medical doctor because of the knee pain, 82% reported that the pain interfered with their sport participation, and 37% had visited a physiotherapist or biokineticist, of whom 43% reported that the intervention they received was successful. Previously 37% of the subjects had taken medication for the condition. The highest incidence of anterior knee pain was reported for 12 and 13-year-old girls and 14 -15-year-old boys, which correlates with the period of the adolescent growth spurt. The incidence of anterior knee pain was higher amongst those who participated in sport more than 3 days per week and lower amongst those who participated less than 3 days per week or not at all. Conclusions.Anterior knee pain is common amongst children between the ages of 10 and 17 years, with a peak during adolescence, especially among girls. Participation in physical activity increases the likelihood of anterior knee pain.

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Objective: The aim of the present study was to compare the incidence of the following coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factors in urban (westernised) Black and White females: physical inactivity, hypertension, cigarette smoking, hypercholesterolaemia, obesity and multiple risk factors. Subjects: Subjects for this study were 62 Black females, paired for age (18-49, Mean = 32.5 years) with 62 White females. Results: Black females (72.6%) were more inactive than White females (51.6%). The mean Physical Work Capacity 170 (PWC 170) for the Black females (107.8 33.0 W) was significantly lower (P<0.05) than that of White females (129.1 24.2 W). Black females (11.6%) had a higher incidence of mild to moderate systolic hypertension (140-179 mmHg) than White females (6.4%). Fewer Black females (3.2%) smoked cigarettes than White females (21%). White females (high risk = 25%) were clearly at far greater risk than Black females (high risk = 0%) with regards to CAD associated with high cholesterol levels. Black females (60.3%) were more obese (fat 30%) than White females (27.4%). Mean BMI of Black females (30.2 6.8) was significantly higher than for White females (24.0 4.7). White females with 22.6% of individuals displaying three or more risk factors as against the Black female's 14.5% are at greater risk for CAD. Conclusion: White females have a significantly higher risk for CAD than westernised Black females, but there are indications that Black females are closing the gap.

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Objective. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a 2½-week conservative rehabilitation programme in addressing anterior knee pain in adolescents. Design. Subjects were randomly allocated to a control group (N=12) and an experimental group (N=18). The experimental group was subjected to a 2½-week strength, flexibility and neuromuscular rehabilitation programme. Both groups were tested before and after the 2½ weeks and the experimental group also 1 month after the post-test. Results. The experimental group reported significant (p