Neuromuscular efficiency of the quadriceps in women with and without patellofemoral pain

ABSTRACT Patellofemoral pain (PFP) may contribute to less activation of the quadriceps muscle, favoring joint overload and pain. Neuromuscular efficiency (NME) is a variable that evaluates relationship between amount neural stimuli ability generate force in given with most efficient being one produces greater muscle force, fibers. In this sense, study aimed evaluate strength NME knee extensors women without patellofemoral A total 24 adult women, recruited via questionnaire, aged from 18 30 years, pain, participated study. Anamnesis, anterior scale, numerical visual scale were applied. Subsequently, extensor strength, hand-held dynamometer, vastus medialis (VM), lateralis (VL), rectus femoris (RF) assessed. For statistical analysis, appropriate tests adopted compare variables groups correlate them. all tests, α<0.05 was adopted. Results showed PFP had 61% lower VM 52% VL, compared group No significant difference found for groups. We conclude negatively influences VL recruitment but does not change strength.