Impact of Tensor Fascia Latae Stretch Prior to Squat on Vastus Medialis Obliquus Activity in Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Teaching assistant of department of physical therapy for musculoskeletal System disorders and its surgery Faculty of Physical Therapy Ahram Canadian University

2 Professor and Chairperson of department of physical therapy for musculoskeletal system disorders and its surgery Faculty of Physical Therapy Cairo University

3 Lecturer of department of physical therapy for musculoskeletal System disorders and its surgery Faculty of Physical Therapy Ahram Canadian University

4 4. Lecturer of clinical neurophysiology Faculty of Medicine Cairo University

10.21608/iptccu.2025.437987

Abstract

Background: Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a prevalent causes of anterior knee pain among young adults resulting from imbalance in the quadriceps muscle components. Previous studies investigated exercises that enhance vastus medialis obliquus (VMO) activation and improve the VMO to vastus lateralis (VL) ratio in PFPS patients. Purpose: to test if there is a difference in VMO muscle activity and VMO: VL ratio during squats before and after tensor facia latae (TFL) stretch in PFPS patients. Patients and methods: Thirty-seven PFPS patients participated in this study with age between 18 and 30 years. Patients performed three squat repetitions while the muscle activity of the VMO and VL was measured using electromyography (EMG) in standing and squat hold positions. They then completed a static stretch of the TFL in a side-lying position, holding the stretch for one minute and repeating it five times with 10-second intervals. Afterward, VMO and VL activity was remeasured, and the VMO:VL ratio was calculated before and after the TFL stretch. Results: No statistical differences were found in the VMO, VL activity, or VMO: VL ratio while standing after the TFL stretch. A decrease in the VMO and VL activity occurred during the squat hold position, but the VMO: VL ratio remained unchanged (p >0.5). Conclusion: there was no change in VMO and VL activity or the VMO:VL ratio after the TFL stretch in the standing phase. In the squat position, both VMO and VL activity substantially decreased, but the VMO:VL ratio stayed the same.

Keywords

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics