The effect of isokinetic exercise on symptoms, functional status
and EMG activation onset time of the vastus medialis oblique and vastus
lateralis in female patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome
Affiliations: [a] State Hospital, Department of Physical Medicine and
Rehabilitation, Kahramanmaras, Turkey | [b] Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation,
Meram Faculty of Medicine, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Dr. A. Salli, Department of
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Selcuk University, Meram Faculty of
Medicine, Meram/Konya, Turkey. Tel.: +90 539 777 88 83; Fax: +90 332 223 61 79;
E-mail: dralisalli@hotmail.com
Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate VMO and VL EMG activation
onset times (AOT) during isometric contractions at various degrees of knee
flexion and to explore the effects of a 6-w isokinetic exercises program on
pain, quality of life, muscle strength and, if observed, on the difference in
AOT, in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). Twenty two female
patients suffering from anterior knee pain and diagnosed with PFPS were
recruited. The main outcome measures consisted of AOT and maximal isometric
contraction of VMO and VL muscle and Medical Outcomes Study (SF36) and VAS
scores. Compared to control knees, pre-exercise measurements revealed
significant delay only in VMO at knee flexion angles of
15°, 30°,
45°. Post-exercise measurements showed improvement in
the delay at 15°, 30°,
45° and also in the other pain, health quality and
muscle strength measurements. In conclusion; VMO is activated later than VL in
PFPS patients while exercise results in improvements in both symptoms and delay
in VMO.
