Overweight and obesity in young adults with patellofemoral pain: impact on physical function, biomechanics, pain mechanisms, psychological factors and quality of life

Author(s)

Amanda Schenatto Ferreira

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Presidente Prudente. 2021-07-14.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp). Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia. Presidente Prudente
• Defense date: 2021-05-24
• Advisor: Fábio Mícolis de Azevedo; Danilo De Oliveira Silva

Abstract

This PhD thesis addresses the impact of overweight and obesity in young adults with patellofemoral pain (PFP) as a central topic. PFP is a chronic knee condition, with high prevalence in young adults, and with poor long-term prognosis. Preliminary evidence suggests a potential relationship between overweight and obesity with PFP, however, this topic remains underexplored. Therefore, this thesis aimed to further explore this topic, by understanding whether the body composition is associated with clinical, biomechanical and psychological factors in people with PFP. As overweight and obesity are modifiable factors, it is important to highlight that this body of studies have important clinical implications, since the current available guidelines and recommendations to manage PFP do not consider overweight and obesity as a component to be addressed in PFP management, or the impact of these factors on the efficacy of long-term interventions. Therefore, five original studies were developed with the general aim of understanding the impact of overweight and obesity on physical function, biomechanics, pain mechanisms, psychological factors, and quality of life of people with PFP. Specifically, the studies address the following topics: (i) the first study aims to compare measures indicative of overweight and obesity, such as body mass index (BMI), body fat and skeletal muscle mass between people with PFP and pain-free people; (ii) the second study aims to understand the impact of overweight and obesity on the physical function and lower limb strength of people with PFP; (iii) the third study addresses the influence of overweight and obesity on biomechanics of people with PFP during functional tasks; (iv) the fourth study addresses the influence of overweight and obesity on the pain mechanisms of people with PFP; (v) the fifth study aims to compare psychological factors and quality of life between people with PFP who are overweight and obese and people with PFP who have normal weight (classified based on BMI). Based on the findings presented in this thesis, it seems that overweight and obesity have a negative impact on physical function, biomechanics and clinical factors of people with PFP. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/17106-0 - What is the importance of body mass index for individuals with patellofemoral pain? An investigation of movement pattern, aspects of muscular function and psychological factors
• Grantee: Amanda Schenatto Ferreira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate