Strength or Power Training for Patellofemoral Pain

The proposed study will compare strength-based exercises, which is the standard of care (SOC), that target the hip abductors, hip extensors, lumbo-pelvic, and quadriceps muscles, to a strength training program that utilized power-based exercises (Strength Training Rehabilitation Incorporating Power Exercises \[STRIPE\]). Individuals with patellofemoral pain, both within the military and general population, present with long-term pain, decreased subjective function, and high recurrence rates. Our primary outcomes are to determine intervention success with self-reported knee pain, measured by the visual analog scale, subjective function, measured by the anterior knee pain scale, and recurrence rates. Recent evidence suggests that two in every three individuals with patellofemoral pain report symptoms up to two years after seeking care, therefore we will assess patellofemoral pain recurrence rates for two years. Additionally, the proposed interventions target gluteal muscle function, supporting our selection of secondary outcome variables. We will assess rate of torque development, as power-based exercises are recommended to improve muscle capacity, of both the targeted gluteus medius and gluteus maximus. We will also assess frontal plane kinematics, as the gluteal muscles are responsible for controlling pelvic and hip motion during functional tasks.