Activation of Vastus Medialis Obliquus Among Individuals With Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine whether various positions of the lower extremity affect the muscle activity of the vastus medialis obliquus (VMO) differently during both open and closed kinetic chain exercise conditions among patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). Patients who presented with symptoms consistent with PFPS completed a series of open kinetic chain and closed kinetic chain exercises in which VMO activity was measured and compared. Statistical analysis revealed that there is less than a 0.001% (open kinetic chain) or 0.005% (closed kinetic chain) chance that all positions activate the VMO equally. In open kinetic exercise, maximum VMO activity was achieved with terminal knee extension with medial tibial rotation. During closed kinetic exercises, squats with external rotation were preferred for maximum VMO activation. Therefore, our results highlight the importance of including both the open and closed kinetic chain exercises into rehabilitation programs for patients with PFPS.

Effect of the contraction of medial rotators of the tibia on the electromyographic activity of vastus medialis and vastus lateralis

“…On the other hand, our results show that the combination of contraction of medial rotators of the tibia and isometric contraction of the QF muscle increase VM activity, which is consistent to conclusions from other studies (Laprade et al, 1998;O'Sullivan and Popelas, 2005).…”

“…These results can be explained by the fact that at this knee flexion angle the VM acts as medial rotator of the tibia (Engle, 1987), as it inserts into the anteromedial aspect of the tibia through a medial extensor aponeurosis (Slocum and Larson, 1968). O'Sullivan and Popelas (2005) also found that the latest degrees of tibial rotation increase VM activity.…”

“…Based on anatomical assumptions presented by Slocum and Larson (1968), many authors considered that the contraction of medial rotators of the tibia could change quadriceps femoris (QF) muscle pattern, facilitating VM activity (Gough and Ladley, 1971;Engle, 1987;Hanten and Schulthies, 1990;Minor, 1991;Signorile et al, 1995;Serrão et al, 2004;O'Sullivan and Popelas, 2005). While some authors suggest that VM activity is not related to medial rotation of the tibia (Duarte-Cintra and Furlani, 1981;Hanten and Schulthies, 1990;Signorile et al, 1995), there is evidence showing that the contraction of medial rotators of the tibia enhances VM activity (Laprade et al, 1998;O'Sullivan and Popelas, 2005). An explanation for the different results could lie on methodological procedures used to control: (A) knee flexion angle, (B) presence/absence of QF muscle extensor activity, (C) tibial rotation amplitude, (D) presence and intensity of the activity of medial rotators of the tibia.…”

Functional Knee Extension Test (FKET): Inter-rater palpatory agreement and visual analysis during a non-weight bearing functional assessment of the knee

“…Additionally, before implementing new tests into clinical settings, the inter-rater reliability of these tests should be examined (Erichsen et al, 2006;Bossuyt et al, 2006). This will enhance determination of the correct approach to treatment and management for practitioners of all professions involved with lower extremity musculoskeletal disorders (O'Sullivan and Popelas, 2005;Straub and Cipriani, 2012). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the inter-rater reliability of the FKET i.e.…”

Comparação dos exercícios em cadeia cinética aberta e cadeia cinética fechada na reabilitação da disfunção femoropatelar

“…A patela é o ponto central onde convergem os elementos retinaculares: ligamentos, músculos, tendões e cápsula sinovial (8). Por causa da incongruência Introdução A disfunção femoropatelar é uma das desordens musculoesqueléticas mais frequentes no joelho (1)(2)(3). Seus sintomas consistem em dor difusa na face anterior do joelho, normalmente ao longo do aspecto medial da patela, podendo, também, serem diagnosticadas as dores retropatelar e na face lateral (4).…”