The effects & mechanisms of increasing running step rate: A feasibility study in a mixed-sex group of runners with patellofemoral pain.

摘要: Abstract Objectives To explore feasibility of recruitment and retention runners with patellofemoral pain (PFP), before delivering a step rate intervention. Design Feasibility study. Setting Human performance laboratory. Participants A mixed-sex sample PFP (n = 11). Main outcome measures Average/worst the Kujala Scale were recorded pre/post intervention, alongside lower limb kinematics surface electromyography (sEMG), sampled during 3 KM treadmill run. Results Recruitment cohort was successful, losing one participant to public healthcare kinematic sEMG data lost from single participants only. Clinically meaningful reductions in average (MD = 2.1, d = 1.7) worst (MD = 3.9, d = 2.0) observed. Reductions both peak knee flexion (MD = 3.7°, d = 0.78) hip internal rotation (MD = 5.1°, d = 0.96) observed, which may provide some mechanistic explanation for identified effects. An increase mean amplitude (d = 0.53) integral (d = 0.58) observed Vastus Medialis Obliqus (VMO) muscle only, questionable clinical relevance. Conclusions mixed sex intervention involving detailed biomechanical is feasible. There are indications likely efficacy associated mechanisms. Future studies comparing different running retraining approaches warranted.