Jin Hyuck Lee1,2, Ki-Mo Jang2,3, Eunseon Kim2, Hye Chang Rhim3, Hyeong-Dong Kim1. 1. Department of Physical Therapy and School of Health and Environmental Science, College of Health Science, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 2. Department of Sports Medical Center, Korea University College of Medicine, Anam Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 3. Korea University College of Medicine and School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Limited data are available on the effect of stretching exercise in patients with patellofemoral pain (PFP) who have inflexible quadriceps, which is one of the various causes of PFP syndrome. This study compares quadriceps flexibility, strength, muscle activation time, and patient-reported outcomes after static and dynamic quadriceps stretching exercises in patients with PFP who had inflexible quadriceps. HYPOTHESIS: Quadriceps flexibility and strength, muscle activation time, and patient-reported outcomes would improve with dynamic quadriceps stretching as compared with static quadriceps stretching exercises. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 2. METHODS: Of the 44 patients included in the study, 20 performed static stretching and 24 performed dynamic stretching. Quadriceps flexibility was assessed by measuring the knee flexion angle during knee flexion in the prone position (the Ely test). Muscle strength and muscle activation time were measured using an isokinetic device. The patient-reported outcomes were evaluated using the visual analogue scale for pain and anterior knee pain scale. RESULTS: No significant differences in quadriceps flexibility and strength, muscle activation time, and patient-reported outcomes in the involved knees were found between the 2 groups (P values > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Quadriceps flexibility and strength, muscle activation time, and patient-reported outcomes in patients with PFP who had inflexible quadriceps showed no significant differences between the static and dynamic quadriceps stretching exercise groups. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Both static and dynamic stretching exercises may be effective for improving pain and function in patients with PFP who have inflexible quadriceps.
BACKGROUND: Limited data are available on the effect of stretching exercise in patients with patellofemoral pain (PFP) who have inflexible quadriceps, which is one of the various causes of PFP syndrome. This study compares quadriceps flexibility, strength, muscle activation time, and patient-reported outcomes after static and dynamic quadriceps stretching exercises in patients with PFP who had inflexible quadriceps. HYPOTHESIS: Quadriceps flexibility and strength, muscle activation time, and patient-reported outcomes would improve with dynamic quadriceps stretching as compared with static quadriceps stretching exercises. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 2. METHODS: Of the 44 patients included in the study, 20 performed static stretching and 24 performed dynamic stretching. Quadriceps flexibility was assessed by measuring the knee flexion angle during knee flexion in the prone position (the Ely test). Muscle strength and muscle activation time were measured using an isokinetic device. The patient-reported outcomes were evaluated using the visual analogue scale for pain and anterior knee pain scale. RESULTS: No significant differences in quadriceps flexibility and strength, muscle activation time, and patient-reported outcomes in the involved knees were found between the 2 groups (P values > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Quadriceps flexibility and strength, muscle activation time, and patient-reported outcomes in patients with PFP who had inflexible quadriceps showed no significant differences between the static and dynamic quadriceps stretching exercise groups. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Both static and dynamic stretching exercises may be effective for improving pain and function in patients with PFP who have inflexible quadriceps.
Authors: Jin Hyuck Lee; Ki Hun Shin; Seung-Beom Han; Kyo Sun Hwang; Seo Jun Lee; Ki-Mo Jang Journal: Medicine (Baltimore) Date: 2022-09-16 Impact factor: 1.817