Efficacy of Electromyographic-Biofeedback Supplementation Training with Patellar Taping on Quadriceps Strengthening in Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome among Young Adult Male Athletes

Asma Alonazi,Azfar Jamal,Faiz Abdulaziz Saleh Alfaiz,Shahnawaz Anwer,Heng Li,Shahnaz Hasan,Suhel Parvez

doi:10.3390/ijerph18094514

Abstract

This study compares the effects of electromyographic-biofeedback (EMG-BF)-guided isometric quadriceps strengthening with patellar taping and isometric exercise alone in patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) among young adult male athletes. Sixty young adult male athletes with PFPS participated in the study. Participants were randomly divided into two groups: (1) EMG-BF-guided isometric exercise training with patellar taping (experimental group, n = 30), and (2) sham EMG-BF training with an isometric exercise program (control group, n = 30). Participants conducted their respective exercise programs for five days per week across four weeks. Study outcomes were pain (measured by the visual analog scale), functional disability (measured by the Kujala Anterior Knee Pain scale), and quadriceps strength (measured by an ISOMOVE dynamometer). Measurements were taken at baseline, Week 2, Week 4, and during a follow-up at Week 6. The experimental group demonstrated significantly lower VAS score at Weeks 2 and 4 compared to that of the control group (p = 0.008 and 0.0005, respectively). The score remained significantly lower at the Week 6 follow-up compared to the control group (p = 0.0005). There were no differences in knee function at Weeks 2 and 4 between the two groups (p = 0.086 and 0.171, respectively); however, the experimental group showed significantly better knee function at Week 6 compared to the control group (p = 0.002). There were no differences in quadriceps strength at Week 2 between the two groups (p = 0.259); however, the experimental group demonstrated significantly higher quadriceps strength at Weeks 4 and 6 compared to the control group (p = 0.0008). Four weeks of EMG-BF supplementation training with patellar taping demonstrated significant improvements in pain intensity, functional disability, and quadriceps muscle strength in young adult male athletes with PFPS.

Highlights

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a common musculoskeletal disorder in the general population, predominantly in adolescents and young athletes [1,2,3,4]
This study evaluated the effects of EMG-BF-guided isometric quadriceps strengthening with patellar taping and isometric exercise alone in young adult male athletes with
The results of this study revealed significantly better outcomes in terms of pain intensity and quadriceps muscle strength after four weeks of EMG-BF-guided isometric quadriceps strengthening with patellar taping in people with PFPS

Summary

Introduction

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a common musculoskeletal disorder in the general population, predominantly in adolescents and young athletes [1,2,3,4]. Several reports suggested that about 25–30% of sports-related injuries [5,6] and up to 40% of knee disorders [4,7,8] are associated with PFPS. Other studies suggested that the prevalence of PFPS in female and male athletes was about 33% and 18%, respectively [9,10].

Methods

Results

Conclusion