CRD42016047602.

Impaired isometric, concentric, and eccentric rate of torque development at the hip and knee in patellofemoral pain. J Strength Cond Res 35(9): 2492-2497, 2021-The aims of this study were to compare maximal muscle strength and rate of torque development (RTD) of knee extensor and hip abductor during isometric, concentric, and eccentric contractions between women with and without patellofemoral pain (PFP). Thirty-eight women with PFP (PFPG) and 38 pain-free women (CG) participated in this study. Isometric, concentric, and eccentric maximal torque and RTD of knee extensor and hip abductor were assessed using an isokinetic dynamometer. Rate of torque development was calculated as the change in torque over the change in time from torque onset to 30, 60, and 90% of the maximal torque (RTD 30% , RTD 60% , and RTD 90% ) during isometric, concentric, and eccentric contractions. PFPG had lower isometric, concentric, and eccentric knee extensor maximal torque (29.9, 28.3, and 26.7%) compared with the CG. For knee extensor RTD, PFPG had slower isometric RTD 30% (17.8%), RTD 60% (21.5%), and RTD 90% (23.4%); slower concentric RTD 30% (35.7%), RTD 60% (29.3%), and RTD 90% (28.2%); and slower eccentric RTD 30% (20.5%), RTD 60% (25.2%), and RTD 90% (22.5%) compared with the CG. PFPG had lower isometric, concentric, and eccentric hip abductor maximal torque (28.3, 21.8, and 17%) compared with the CG. For hip abductor RTD, PFPG had slower isometric RTD 30% (32.6%), RTD 60% (31.1%), and RTD 90% (25.4%); slower concentric RTD 90% (11.5%); and slower eccentric RTD 30% (19.8%), RTD 60% (26.4%), and RTD 90% (24%) compared with the CG. In conclusion, women with PFP presented deficits in both maximal strength and RTD of knee extensor and hip abductor during isometric, concentric, and eccentric contractions, which highlight the potential importance of addressing different aspects of muscle function through exercise therapy.

Individuals with patellofemoral pain (PFP) use different motor strategies during unipodal support in stair climbing activities, which may be assessed by vertical ground reaction force parameters. Thus, the aims of this study were to investigate possible differences in first peak, valley, second peak, and loading rate between recreational female athletes with PFP and pain-free athletes during stair climbing in order to determine the association and prediction capability between these parameters, pain level, and functional status in females with PFP. Thirty-one recreational female athletes with PFP and 31 pain-free recreational female athletes were evaluated with three-dimensional kinetics while performing stair climbing to obtain vertical ground reaction force parameters. A visual analog scale was used to evaluate the usual knee pain. The anterior knee pain scale was used to evaluate knee functional score. First peak and loading rate were associated with pain (r = .46, P = .008; r = .56, P = .001, respectively) and functional limitation (r = .31, P = .049; r = -.36, P = .032, respectively). Forced entry regression revealed the first peak was a significant predictor of pain (36.5%) and functional limitation (28.7%). Our findings suggest that rehabilitation strategies aimed at correcting altered vertical ground reaction force may improve usual knee pain level and self-reported knee function in females with PFP.

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