Award Date

1-1-1995

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Kinesiology

Number of Pages

41

Abstract

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) is a patellar tracking dysfunction usually associated with a muscular imbalance between the vastus medialis oblique (VMO) muscle and vastus lateralis (VL) muscle. The imbalance is most commonly attributed to a weak VMO resulting in a smaller VMO:VL ratio. Several electromyographic (EMG) studies have defined specific limb positions (such as external rotation of the hip) that preferentially activate the VMO. However, there has been no literature to show that preferential activation of the VMO successfully translates into increased VMO:VL ratios with training. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of hip rotation on the mean VMO:VL EMG ratio using EMG biofeedback over a 5 day training period. Thirty-six healthy female college students performed isometric quadriceps contractions, in terminal extension, with one of three hip positions: external hip rotation, internal hip rotation, and the anatomically neutral position. All participants were able to increase their VMO:VL ratio in 5 days regardless of hip position. Furthermore, external rotation of the hip was found to be a more effective position for the modification of the VMO:VL ratio than internal hip rotation. Exercises that incorporate external rotation of the hip, therefore, may be advisable in the treatment of PFPS.

Keywords

Biofeedback; Effect; Emg; Hip; Increasing; Lateralis; Medialis; Oblique; Position; Relations; Selectively; Training; Vastus

Controlled Subject

Physical therapy

File Format

pdf

File Size

1638.4 KB

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

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