Meta‐analyses showed no significant changes in strength for any of the interventions . •
BACKGROUND : The addition of hip strengthening to knee strengthening for persons with patellofemoral pain has the potential to optimize treatment effects .
OBJECTIVE : To examine the efficacy of hip strengthening , associated or not with knee strengthening , to increase strength , reduce pain , and improve activity in individuals with patellofemoral pain .
Effects of functional stabilization training on pain, function, and lower extremity biomechanics in women with patellofemoral pain: a randomized clinical trial.
STUDY DESIGN R and omized clinical trial . OBJECTIVES To compare the effects of functional stabilization training ( FST ) versus st and ard training on knee pain and function , lower-limb and trunk kinematics , trunk muscle endurance , and eccentric hip and knee muscle strength in women with patellofemoral pain . BACKGROUND A combination of hip- and knee-strengthening exercise may be more beneficial than quadriceps strengthening alone to improve pain and function in individuals with patellofemoral pain . However , there is limited evidence of the effectiveness of these exercise programs on the biomechanics of the lower extremity . METHODS Thirty-one women were r and omized to either the FST group or st and ard-training group .  Patients attended a baseline assessment session , followed by an 8-week intervention , and were reassessed at the end of the intervention and at 3 months after the intervention . Assessment measures were a 10-cm visual analog scale for pain , the Lower Extremity Functional Scale , and the single-leg triple-hop test . A global rating of change scale was used to measure perceived improvement . Kinematics were assessed during the single-leg squat . Outcome measures also included trunk endurance and eccentric hip and knee muscle strength assessment . RESULTS The patients in the FST group had less pain at the 3-month follow-up and greater global improvement and physical function at the end of the intervention compared to those in the st and ard-training group . Lesser ipsilateral trunk inclination , pelvis contralateral depression , hip adduction , and knee abduction , along with greater pelvis anteversion and hip flexion movement excursions during the single-leg squat , were only observed in the FST group after the intervention . Only those in the FST group had greater eccentric hip abductor and knee flexor strength , as well as greater endurance of the anterior , posterior , and lateral trunk muscles , after training . CONCLUSION An intervention program consisting of hip muscle strengthening and lower-limb and trunk movement control exercises was more beneficial in improving pain , physical function , kinematics , and muscle strength compared to a program of quadriceps-strengthening exercises alone
Meta‐analyses showed no significant changes in strength for any of the interventions . •
BACKGROUND : The addition of hip strengthening to knee strengthening for persons with patellofemoral pain has the potential to optimize treatment effects .
OBJECTIVE : To examine the efficacy of hip strengthening , associated or not with knee strengthening , to increase strength , reduce pain , and improve activity in individuals with patellofemoral pain .