Exercises with an additional load of 20% of body weight improve pain, functional capacity and strength in women with patellofemoral pain
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.2317-0190.v32i1a228352Keywords:
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, Electromyography, Exercise, Muscle StrengthAbstract
Treatment of patellofemoral pain (PFP) should consist of muscle strengthening exercises for the hip, knee, or hip and knee in combination, to improve pain and function. However, the literature does not establish which exercises are effective. Objective: To determine the results of a muscle strengthening exercise protocol with an additional external load of 20% of body weight on pain, functional capacity, activation and quadriceps muscle strength for women with PFP. Method: Case series report evaluating women with PFP (n= 10) who underwent 12 sessions of resistance exercises for the quadriceps and hip, with an additional external load of 20% of body weight, performed over six weeks. Participants were assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (pain), Anterior Knee Pain Scale and Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale (functional capacity), surface electromyography of the Vastus Medialis Oblique, Vastus Lateralis and Rectus Femoris (muscle activation) and isometric dynamometry (muscle strength) at pre-intervention, post-intervention and follow-up (after four weeks). The Friedman test with Bonferroni post hoc established the differences between the evaluated moments. Results: Pain, functional capacity and muscle strength improved significantly after treatment and at follow-up (p<0.05). Only muscle strength showed a reduction at follow-up compared to the post-intervention moment, although it was still higher than before the intervention. The muscle activation results did not show any differences. Conclusion: Strengthening exercises with an external load of 20% of body weight have been shown to be effective for pain, functional capacity, and muscle strength for women with PFP.
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