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Background and Objective: Patellofemoral is a pain syndrome, common among athletes and the theraputic regiment based on the improvement of muscle involved in this disorder. This study was done to compare electromyography activity of the vastus medialis obliques and vastus lateralis longus during squat with isometric hip adduction in athletes with patellofemoral pain syndrome and healthy athletes.

Materials and Methods: This case – control study was carried out on 16 national team male athletes (volleyball, handball and taekwondo) aged 30-18 years with patellofemoral pain syndrome and 16 healthy male athletes. Subjects were matched based on weight, height, age, dominant of lower extremity and voluntarily participated. Electromyography activity of vastus medialis obliques and vastus lateralis longus muscles recorded by surface electrodes at 15, 30 and 45 knee flexion degrees. Paired t test was used to compare electromyography activities in each group and One-way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc test was used to compare each muscle in different angles.

Results: There was significant differences in the activity of vastus medialis obliques and vastus lateralis longus muscles in athletes with patellofemoral pain syndrome at 45 knee flexion degree (P<0.05). There were no significant differences between the muscle activities in healthy athletes at none of the knee flexion degrees. There were significant differences in the activity of vastus medialis obliques (P<0.05) and vastus lateralis longus (P<0.05) muscles at 45 degrees in comparison with muscle activities in each group in knee flexion degrees.

Conclusion: Electromyography activity of the vastus medialis obliques in healthy athletes during squat with isometric hip adduction at 45 knee flextion is greater than other degrees and in athletes with patellofemoral pain syndrome is greater than healthy athletes.

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Background and Objective: Patellofemoral pain is the most common and controversial musculoskeletal problem. Several studies have focused on its causes, prevention, and treatment strategies. This study was done to determine the effect of eight weeks of standard and functional stabilization training on pain and functional movement of women with patellofemoral pain.
Methods: This quasi-experimental study was performed on 45 non-athletic women with patellofemoral pain syndrome aged 18-35 years. Subjects were divided into three standard, functional stabilization training and the control group and followed for 8 weeks. Pain was measured by visual analogue scale and functional movement was measured by the KUJALA (Anterior knee Pain Scale).
Results: Severity of pain significantly reduced in the two interventional groups (standard and functional stabilization training) in comparison with control group (P<0.05). Functional movement significantly increased in the two interventional groups in comparison with control group (P<0.05). Severity of pain and functional movement had no significant difference between the two intervention groups.
Conclusion: Performing each of the exercises, standard or functional stabilization training, for eight weeks, had beneficial effect on reducing pain and improving functional movement in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome.

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Background and Objective: Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is among the common causes of anterior knee pain in adolescents and individuals under 60 years of age. This study was conducted to determine the effect of closed kinetic chain exercises on changes in plantar foot pressure dynamics in women with PFPS.
Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 30 female university students aged 20 to 35 divided into two groups of 15 (one group diagnosed with PFPS and a healthy control group) at Mohaghegh Ardabili University in 2023. The PFPS group had a pain history of at least two months to a maximum of one year. The experimental group performed closed kinetic chain exercises three times a week for eight weeks. Plantar foot pressure variables were measured using a pressure foot scanner (sampling rate of 300 Hz).
Results: The peak forces in the first toe during slow-speed running exhibited a statistically significant decrease in both the healthy group (64.91 ± 28.69) and the PFPS group (215.19 ± 60.28). Furthermore, the time to reach the peak ground reaction force in the PFPS group (49.65 ± 44.332) showed a statistically significant increase during the post-test at slow-speed running (P<0.05). The external heel force (153.97±3.62) and the fifth metatarsal bone (65.19±19.77) in the healthy group demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in the post-test compared to the PFPS group during fast-speed running (P<0.05). In both the healthy and PFPS groups, statistically significant decreases were observed in the post-test for center of pressure (COP) displacement variables in the mediolateral and anteroposterior directions during both slow-speed and fast-speed running (P<0.05). Additionally, in the healthy group, a statistically significant reduction was found in the post-test for COP displacement at the first toe (64.5±51.08) during fast-speed running (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Closed kinetic chain exercises lead to a statistically significant reduction in plantar foot pressure variables in women with PFPS and healthy women.