• S F Tang, C K Chen, R Hsu, S W Chou, W H Hong, and H L Lew.
• Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kwei-Shan, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan. fttang@adm.cgmh.org.tw
• Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2001 Oct 1;82(10):1441-5.

ObjectivesTo evaluate the electromyographic activities of vastus medialis obliquus (VMO) and vastus lateralis (VL) muscles in open and closed kinetic chain exercises in subjects with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS).DesignCase-controlled study.SettingRehabilitation science center in a tertiary medical center.ParticipantsTen patients with bilateral knee pain diagnosed with PFPS and 10 healthy volunteers.InterventionsSubjects performed open kinetic chain exercise on an isokinetic dynamometer and closed kinetic chain exercise by squat-to-stand and stand-to-squat tasks. Surface electromyography was done for the VMO and VL muscles.Main Outcome MeasuresVMO/VL ratios were calculated after normalization of muscle activities.ResultsThe VMO/VL ratios of PFPS subjects were significantly lower than were those of unimpaired subjects during knee isokinetic closed kinetic chain exercises (p = .047). However, there was no statistical difference in VMO/VL ratio between subjects with and without PFPS during closed kinetic chain exercises (p = .623). Maximum VMO/VL ratio was obtained at 60 degrees knee flexion in closed kinetic chain exercise.ConclusionIn closed kinetic chain exercises, more selective VMO activation can be obtained at 60 degrees knee flexion. Maximal VMO/VL ratio was observed at this knee flexion angle, and muscle contraction intensity was also greatest.Copyright 2001 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

18 keywords...

hide…