Riassunto dello studio

Forty college-aged individuals with patellofemoral pain syndrome were randomized to receive either functional strength training (FST, n=20) or standard strength training (SST, n=20) for six weeks. The primary outcome of interest was knee pain, assessed by the visual analog scale (VAS). Secondary outcomes included knee function (Kujala Patellofemoral Scale), lower extremity joint kinematics (hip, knee, ankle angles), and muscle activation patterns during a step-down test. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and post-intervention. Overall, the results of the study revealed that the FST group had significantly greater improvements in pain reduction and function compared to the SST group. The FST group also demonstrated more favorable biomechanical adaptations, including increased hip flexion and gluteus maximus activation. These findings suggest that functional strength training offers superior clinical benefits over standard strength training in managing PFPS.