Association Between Knee Pain and Patellofemoral Syndrome (PFS) In Football Players

Abstract

Background: Knee pain and patellofemoral syndrome (PFS) are common among athletes, particularly in sports requiring extensive lower limb use such as football. These conditions can significantly impair performance and quality of life. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and severity of knee pain and patellofemoral syndrome among football players, and to explore the association between these conditions. Methods: The study was conducted with 145 football players who provided informed consent, in alignment with the Declaration of Helsinki. Data were collected using structured surveys that included the Numeric Pain Rating Scale and the Kujala Scoring questionnaire. The analysis utilized SPSS software (version 25) to conduct descriptive and inferential statistics. Qualitative data were assessed by frequencies and percentages, while quantitative data analysis involved computing means and standard deviations. The association between knee pain and PFS was examined using a Pearson Chi-Square test. Results: The average age of participants was 22.95 years (SD = 2.83), ranging from 19 to 28 years. Regarding knee pain, 8.3% reported no pain, 26.2% mild pain, 32.4% moderate pain, and 33.1% severe pain. For PFS symptoms, 10.3% of players had no symptoms, 27.6% mild, 31.7% moderate, and 30.3% severe symptoms. The Pearson Chi-Square test yielded a p-value of less than 0.05, indicating a significant association between knee pain and the presence of PFS. Conclusion: The study confirmed a significant correlation between knee pain and PFS among football players, highlighting the need for targeted preventive and therapeutic strategies in sports settings to enhance player health and performance.