Rearfoot and knee coupling over a prolonged run in runners with patellofemoral pain syndrome

Introduction Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is common in runners and is often related to excessive rearfoot eversion. Increased eversion is known to be associated with increased knee flexion, internal rotation, and reduced adduction [1]. Therefore, our purpose was to investigate coupling between the foot and knee in runners with PFPS. We hypothesized that the PFPS group would display larger coupling angles at baseline, due to relatively greater eversion. We also expected that these angles would increase to a greater degree in the PFPS group at the end of a prolonged run.