Impaired Knee Muscle Capacity Is Correlated With Impaired Sagittal Kinematics During Jump Landing in Women With Patellofemoral Pain

Author(s)

Nunes, Guilherme S. ; Barton, Christian J. ; Serrao, Fabio V.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING RESEARCH; v. 36, n. 5, p. 7-pg., 2022-05-01.

Abstract

Nunes, GS, Barton, CJ, and Serrao, FV. Impaired knee muscle capacity is correlated with impaired sagittal kinematics during jump landing in women with patellofemoral pain. J Strength Cond Res 36(5): 1264-1270, 2022-Knee and hip muscle capacity is impaired in women with patellofemoral pain (PFP), but little is known about the rate of force development (RFD) at the knee. Impaired muscle capacity may contribute to reduced sagittal plane movement at the knee and hip during jump landing in women with PFP. This study aimed to (a) compare knee extensor muscle capacity (including RFD), and hip abductor and extensor muscle capacity between women with and without PFP; and (b) evaluate the relationship between hip/knee muscle capacity and sagittal kinematics during single-legged drop jump landing in women with PFP. Fifty-two physically active women (26 with PFP and 26 controls) participated. Rate of force development (in %/ms), isometric, concentric, and eccentric torque (in N center dot m center dot kg(-1) x 100) were evaluated using isokinetic dynamometry, and knee and hip kinematics were evaluated using three-dimensional motion capture. Compared with the control group (CG), the PFP group (PFPG) presented lower isometric (12%, PFPG = 217.2 +/- 46.0; CG = 246.5 +/- 38.8; p = 0.02), concentric (21%, PFPG = 133.0 +/- 42.6; CG = 169.2 +/- 28.8; p < 0.01), and eccentric (17%, PFPG = 172.9 +/- 56.7; CG = 208.4 +/- 59.4; p = 0.03) knee extension torque; lower RFD until 30% (30%, PFPG = 0.57 +/- 0.27; CG = 0.83 +/- 0.37; p < 0.01) and 60% (31%, PFPG = 0.47 +/- 0.24; CG = 0.67 +/- 0.33; p = 0.01) of maximal isometric torque; and lower concentric hip abduction (13%, PFPG = 94.7 +/- 19.1; CG = 108.4 +/- 17.5; p = 0.01) and extension (17%, PFPG = 134.4 +/- 34.3; CG = 162.6 +/- 38.0; p < 0.01) torque. Significant correlations between reduced RFD for knee extension and reduced sagittal plane knee/hip range of motion during landing were identified (r = 0.39-0.49). In conclusion, women with PFP have impaired knee extensor isometric and dynamic strength, and RFD. Impaired knee extensor RFD is associated with a stiffer landing strategy (reduced movement). (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/01704-7 - Morphological analysis, isometric peak torque and rate of torque development of hip muscles and their relations with the kinematics and kinetics of the lower limb, pelvis and trunk in women with and without patellofemoral pain
• Grantee: Guilherme Silva Nunes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 16/09438-7 - The effect of foot orthotics on biomechanics of lower limbs, pelvis and trunk during single legged squats of individuals with and without patellofemoral pain
• Grantee: Guilherme Silva Nunes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate