Influence of foot strike patterns and cadences on patellofemoral joint stress in male runners with patellofemoral pain

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.