Affiliations: [a] Department of Physical Therapy, Institut Parnasse-ISEI, Brussels, Belgium | [b] Laboratory of Functional Anatomy, Faculty of Motor Sciences, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium | [c] CARS institute, Faculty of Motor Sciences, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
Correspondence:
[*]
Corresponding author: Joachim Van Cant, Department of Physical therapy, Institut Parnasse-ISEI, Avenue Mounier 84, 1200 Brussels, Belgium. E-mail:joachim.vancant@vinci.be
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Previous studies have reported strength deficit in hip
abduction, extension and external rotation in females with patellofemoral
pain (PFP) when compared with healthy control; however, there is conflicting
evidence for a decrease in hip muscle endurance. Therefore, it seems
important to evaluate hip muscle endurance in females with PFP. Moreover,
trunk extensor and ankle plantar flexor endurance have not yet been evaluate
in females with PFP. OBJECTIVE: To compare hip abductor, trunk extensor and ankle
plantar flexor endurance between females with and without PFP. METHODS: Twenty females with PFP (mean age, 21.1 years) and 76
healthy females (mean age, 20.5 years) were recruited. Subject performed
three endurance clinical tests: (1) The hip abductor isometric endurance
test, (2) The Sorensen test and (3) The heel rise test. Group differences
were assessed using an independent t tests, or Mann-Whitney U tests for
non-normally distributed data. RESULTS: Subjects with PFP exhibited significantly lower hip
abductor, trunk extensor and ankle plantar flexor endurance than healthy
controls. On average, subjects with PFP had deficits of 16% in hip
abduction, 14% in trunk extension and 26% in ankle plantar flexion. CONCLUSION: Females with PFP exhibited diminished hip abductor,
trunk extensor and ankle plantar flexor endurance compared to healthy
controls.
