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. 2024 Sep 7;60(9):1467.
doi: 10.3390/medicina60091467.

Influence of Pain, Risk Factors, and Functional Ability on Physical Activity Levels in Women with Anterior Knee Pain: A Cross-Sectional Study

Amjad Hajaj Alharbi  1 , Mohamed K Seyam  1 , Ahmad Alanazi  1 , Ahmed Almansour  1 , Shahnaz Hasan  1
Affiliations

Influence of Pain, Risk Factors, and Functional Ability on Physical Activity Levels in Women with Anterior Knee Pain: A Cross-Sectional Study

Amjad Hajaj Alharbi et al. Medicina (Kaunas). .

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Anterior knee pain (AKP) refers to chronic prepatellar pain and is one of the most common knee complaints in physically active women. This condition can significantly affect daily activities and overall quality of life. This study aims to assess the impact of pain, risk factors, and functional ability on different levels of physical activity (comparing low versus moderate activity) in women with AKP. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study involved fifty-six women diagnosed with AKP (aged 20-45 years) who were equally allocated into low and moderate physical activity groups. Their AKP and functional ability were assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) and double squats and step-down tests, respectively. Possible risk factors were assessed using the Q-angle, modified Thomas test, sit and reach test, and patellar glide test. A person's correlation coefficient and independent t-tests were used to determine the relationship and the differences between these variables while keeping the confidence interval level at 95%. Result: Women with moderate activity levels showed significantly higher scores on the VAS than those with low activity levels (p = 0.040). However, both groups had no significant difference in their functional ability or potential risk factors (p > 0.05). Additionally, their functional ability (double squat) showed a positive association with hamstring flexibility (Pearson correlation coefficient [r]:0.3; p = 0.006). Conclusions: Women with AKP who were engaged in moderate physical activity experienced higher levels of pain compared to those with low activity levels. These findings underscore the urgent need for further investigation into different levels of physical activity to develop appropriate prevention and treatment strategies for women with AKP.

Keywords: activity level; anterior knee pain; function ability; patellofemoral pain; risk factors.

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Conflict of interest statement

This study’s authors declare no conflicts of interest, either financial or non-financial.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
STROBE flow chart of study procedures, including participants’ enrollment, baseline assessment, and data analysis.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The location of symptoms in the moderate and low physical activity groups.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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