Comparison of the level of pain and the pressure pain threshold between runners and non-runners women and without pwith atellofemoral pain Syndrome

Abstract

Background: Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) often affects athletes and physically active individuals. This disorder is characterized by anterior knee pain exacerbated during sports practice, especially running. The perception of pain is crucial in determining the performance of runners, therefore, to investigate the tolerance and the subjective perception of pain between runners and non-runners may bring interesting information about the performance and the type of clinical approach to these individuals. Objective: To compare the subjective perception of pain and pressure pain threshold in female runners and non-runners with and without PFPS. Methods: Women will be selected with PFPS and asymptomatic, aged 18 to 35, after application of the inclusion criteria, four groups will be formed: PFPS Group runner; PFPS group non-runner; Control group runner; Control Group non-runner. To be included in the voluntary group runners must present running frequency equal to or exceeding 20 km/week. After classification of the groups, the volunteers will be evaluated in the Laboratory of Biomechanics and Motor Control as the subjective perception of pain by visual analog pain scale and as the pressure pain threshold, through a digital algometer. At a minimum period of 48 hours and a maximum of one week voluntary return to the laboratory for further evaluation in order to perform the reliability of the results. Expected results: It is expected that non-female runners with PFPS present decreased pressure pain threshold pain and greater subjective perception of pain than women runners with PFPS, and that both groups with PFPS present decreased pressure pain threshold and greater subjective perception of pain compared to female runners and non-runners asymptomatic controls.