Objectives: This study aimed to determine the effect of foot strike patterns and cadences in male runners with patellofemoral pain (PFP).
Design: Cross-sectional study.
Setting: Biomechanics lab.
Methods: 20 male runners with PFP were instructed to randomly complete six running conditions (three cadence conditions in rearfoot strike pattern (RFS) or forefoot strike (FFS)) under a preferred running speed.
Main outcome measures: The primary outcomes were peak knee joint and moment, and secondary outcomes were patellofemoral joint stress.
Results: Running with increased cadence has a lower flexion angle (P = 0.027, η2 = 0.45), lower extension moment (P = 0.011, η2 = 0.29), lower internal rotation moment (P = 0.040, η2 = 0.17), lower patellofemoral stress (P = 0.029, η2 = 0.52) than preferred cadence. FFS running performed significantly lower flexion angle (P = 0.003, η2 = 0.39), lower extension moment (P < 0.001, η2 = 0.91), lower adduction moment (P = 0.020, η2 = 0.25) lower patellofemoral stress (P < 0.001, η2 = 0.81) than RFS running for all cadence.
Conclusions: Preliminary findings provide new perspectives for male runners with PFP to unload patellofemoral joint stress in managing PFP through the combination of the FFS pattern and increased cadence.
Keywords: Biomechanics; Foot strike pattern; Patellofemoral pain; Running cadence.
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