Squat and Patellofemoral Pain: protocol for a systematic review

Background: Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) represents anterior knees’ diseases. The PFPS is a multifactorial disease, with high prevalence. It presents a direct relationship of deterioration through the act of squatting, descending and climbing stairs, interfering both in working and daily activities. The main purpose of the study will be to find evidence of the direct relationship between the variations of squatting during muscular daily physical exercises and the patellofemoral disease. Methodology: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols (PRISMA-P) Statement was used to elaborate the adequate research guidelines to address the research objective. Seven databases will be accessed (Academic Search Complete, Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science, PubMed, Informaworld by Taylor & Francis, and Medline via PMC) and, at least, 10 keywords will be combined. Study appraisal and synthesis methods: One author will independently screen titles and abstracts against the eligibility criteria at first, and full-texts of potentially eligible records at a second phase, followed by extraction of data from qualifying studies. Two review authors will also assess the risk of bias and the quality of evidence, using the Cochrane Collaboration’s Tool, Rob 2.0. This protocol is registered in PROSPERO under the code CRD42019128711.