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

• Published in: International journal of environmental research and public health Vol. 18; no. 9; p. 4514
• Main Authors: Alonazi, Asma, Hasan, Shahnaz, Anwer, Shahnawaz, Jamal, Azfar, Parvez, Suhel, Alfaiz, Faiz Abdulaziz Saleh, Li, Heng
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 23.04.2021; MDPI
• Subjects: Athletes; Biofeedback; Electrodes; Electromyography; Feedback; Knee; Males; Muscle contraction; Muscle function; Muscle strength; Pain; Physical training; Quadriceps muscle; Sports training; Strength training; Strengthening; Taping; Young adults; Saudi Arabia; Riyadh Saudi Arabia; pain; athletes; strength; PFPS; young adults; function
• ISSN: 1660-4601; 1661-7827; 1660-4601
• DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18094514

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, = 30), and (2) sham EMG-BF training with an isometric exercise program (control group, = 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 ( = 0.008 and 0.0005, respectively). The score remained significantly lower at the Week 6 follow-up compared to the control group ( = 0.0005). There were no differences in knee function at Weeks 2 and 4 between the two groups ( = 0.086 and 0.171, respectively); however, the experimental group showed significantly better knee function at Week 6 compared to the control group ( = 0.002). There were no differences in quadriceps strength at Week 2 between the two groups ( = 0.259); however, the experimental group demonstrated significantly higher quadriceps strength at Weeks 4 and 6 compared to the control group ( = 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.