Document Type : Original article
Authors
1
Department of Sport Biomechanics, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Birjand University, Birjand, Iran.
2
Department of Sport Biomechanics and Motor Behavior, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Mazandaran of University, Babolsar, Iran.
3
Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
10.32598/SJRM.13.6.3232
Abstract
Background and Aims Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is one of the most common overuse injuries with unknown risk factors and an important cause of anterior knee pain in active people. The joint stiffness is a modifiable mechanical factor that may be related to PFPS. This study aims to investigate the role of ankle and knee joints stiffness in the occurrence of PFPS in active people.
Methods In the present study, 80 physical education students (50 females and 30 males) were selected from the University of Mazandaran, Iran, using a convenience sampling method. Before the start of their physical education training sessions, the stiffness of their knee and ankle joints was measured for both legs during running. During the training sessions, injured people were diagnosed, and the type of injury was recorded by an orthopedic physician. At the end of the training period, which lasted one academic semester, the students were divided into two groups, injured and uninjured. The independent t-test was used to compare knee and ankle stiffness between two injured and non-injured groups. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the role of knee and ankle joint stiffness in predicting the PFPS occurrence.
Results There was a significant difference between the two groups in ankle joint stiffness (P=0.01), but no significant difference was observed in knee joint stiffness (P=0.104). The injured people had significantly more ankle joint stiffness than the uninjured people. The results of binary logistic regression analysis showed that ankle joint stiffness could predict the occurrence of PFPS (P=0.01). For every one unit increase in ankle joint stiffness, the risk of PFPS increases by 3.6 units.
Conclusion The ankle joint stiffness can predict the PFPS occurrence in active people. Therefore, people with higher ankle joint stiffness are more likely to suffer from the PFPS. This research can provide important information to coaches and team doctors in PFPS management and treatment.
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