Strength Training in Female Runners With Patellofemoral Pain

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is a common running-related injury that is often referred to as runner's knee. The condition typically presents with pain in the front of the knee that is located around or behind the knee cap. This injury occurs twice as frequently in females and is often associated with weakness of the muscles of the thigh and hip, as well as altered running form. Heavy-weight strength training is needed in order to improve muscle weakness; however, this puts a significant amount of load on the knee joint and it is difficult for individuals with PFP to train at this level without experiencing increased pain and joint discomfort. Blood flow restriction training (BFRT) is a promising alternative method to safely improve muscle weakness while reducing knee joint loading. With BFRT, a pressurized band is applied to the thigh in order to partially restrict blood flow as a patient exercises in order to decrease the amount of oxygen delivered to the muscle. Lack of oxygen to the muscle combined with strength training creates an environment within the muscle that results in the ability of low-weight strength training to provide the same results as heavy-weight strength training. This study will evaluate how low-weight strength training with and without BFRT affects thigh and hip strength, and consequently pain, function, running ability, and running form in female runners with PFP. The hypothesis is that 10 weeks of low-weight strength training with BFRT will lead to greater thigh and hip strength, reduced pain, improved knee function, improved running ability, and improved running form compared to low-weight strength training without BFRT. The expected results will have a significant impact within the running community by providing a safe and effective treatment that increases strength and improves running form while reducing pain and joint loading. This will also have an impact on the larger field of sports medicine by providing an alternative method to improve strength, as well as improve function when heavy-weight strength training is not well tolerated or unsafe due to injury.

Clinical Trial Description

n/a

Study Design

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

Clinical Trial Details

NCT number	NCT04480528
Study type	Interventional
Source	University of Kentucky
Contact
Status	Completed
Phase	N/A
Start date	June 8, 2020
Completion date	November 13, 2021

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See also
Status	Clinical Trial	Phase
Recruiting	`NCT00166777` - Effect of Hip Adduction Combination With Knee Extension Exercise on Morphology of Quadriceps Muscles, Pain and Functional Outcomes in Patients With PFPS	Phase 1
Not yet recruiting	`NCT05303610` - Effects of Tissue Properties of the Superficial Anterior Myofascial Chain on the Development of Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Completed	`NCT04173468` - Mobilization With Movement Versus Mulligan Knee Taping Technique on Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome.	N/A
Terminated	`NCT01007643` - Use of Wii Fit (TM) to Increase Compliance With Home Exercises in Treating Patellofemoral Syndrome	N/A
Recruiting	`NCT06131710` - Effects of Proximal Strengthening Exercises in Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome Among Basketball Players	N/A
Completed	`NCT04752501` - Maladaptive Psychosocial Beliefs and Adolescents With Patellofemoral Pain	N/A
Completed	`NCT02514005` - Manual Therapy and Dry Needling in Patellofemoral Syndrome	N/A
Withdrawn	`NCT01781325` - Patient Self Monitoring of Physical Therapy Exercise	N/A
Completed	`NCT01767246` - The Evaluation of a Novel Treatment Algorithm for Patients With Patellofemoral Syndrome	N/A
Completed	`NCT04323267` - Digital Home-Exercise Therapy Application For Patients With Non-Surgical Knee Injuries	N/A
Completed	`NCT05995210` - Comparing the Effectiveness of Kinesio Taping and Knee Orthosis in Patients With Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome	N/A

Clinical trials are conducted in a series of steps, called phases - each phase is designed to answer a separate research question.

Phase 1: Researchers test a new drug or treatment in a small group of people for the first time to evaluate its safety, determine a safe dosage range, and identify side effects.
Phase 2: The drug or treatment is given to a larger group of people to see if it is effective and to further evaluate its safety.
Phase 3: The drug or treatment is given to large groups of people to confirm its effectiveness, monitor side effects, compare it to commonly used treatments, and collect information that will allow the drug or treatment to be used safely.
Phase 4: Studies are done after the drug or treatment has been marketed to gather information on the drug's effect in various populations and any side effects associated with long-term use.