Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 20, 2025
Evaluating Postural Control and Lower-extremity Muscle Activation in Individuals with Chronic Ankle Instability
Published on: September 18, 2020
People with patellofemoral pain have task-dependent postural control alterations
Guilherme S Nunes1, Isabela Cortiana Machado Valle1, Daniela Rigo1
1Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
Objectives:
To compare postural control between people with and without patellofemoral pain (PFP) during the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT), single-legged stance, single-legged squat, and single-legged landing tasks.
Design:
Cross-sectional.
Settings:
Laboratory.
Participants:
Forty-four participants (22 with PFP and 22 controls).
Main Outcomes Measures:
Postural control was evaluated by measuring reach distance in three directions during the SEBT, and center of pressure (CoP) behavior during the single-legged tasks.
Results:
The PFP group demonstrated a larger CoP ellipse area during the single-legged squat (effect size [ES] = 0.82, p < 0.01) and landing tasks (ES = 0.70, p < 0.05) compared to controls. Additionally, the PFP group showed alterations in anteroposterior CoP behavior during the single-legged squat compared to controls, including increased displacement (ES = 0.78, p < 0.01), trajectory length (ES = 0.62, p < 0.05), and velocity (ES = 0.61, p < 0.03). No significant differences were found between groups for any distance in the SEBT or for CoP variables during the single-legged stance.
Conclusions:
People with PFP exhibit postural control alterations during more dynamic tasks, such as single-legged squats and landings. However, no alteration during static tasks like single-leg stance or during any SEBT direction were observed.
