Analysis on the activation of the VMO and VLL muscles during semisquat exercises with and without hip adduction in individuals with patellofemoral pain syndrome.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of hip adduction on the activity of the Vastus Medialis Obliquus (VMO) and Vastus Lateralis Longus (VLL) muscles during semisquat exercises. METHODS Twenty female subjects, divided into two groups comprising healthy and patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) subjects (ten volunteers for each group), performed three double-leg semisquat exercise trials with maximum hip adduction isometric contraction (DLSS-HA) and three double-leg semisquat exercise trials without hip adduction (DLSS). The normalized electromyographic muscle data were analysed using Repeated Measure ANOVA (p<or=0.05). RESULTS The electrical activity of both VMO and VLL muscles was significantly greater during DLSS-HA exercise than during DLSS (p=0.0002) for both groups. Additionally, an independent Repeated Measure ANOVA revealed that the electric activity of the VLL muscle was significantly greater (p=0.0149) than that of the VMO muscle during DLSS exercises only for the PFPS group. However, no differences were found during DLSS-HA exercises. CONCLUSIONS Although there was no preferential VMO muscle activation, the association of hip adduction with squat exercise promoted a greater balance between the medial and lateral portions of the quadriceps femoris muscle and could be indicated for the conservatory treatment of PFPS patients. The association of isometric hip adduction with isometric semisquat exercises produced a more overall quadriceps activity and could be indicated for clinical rehabilitation or muscle strengthening programs.