THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ABDOMINAL MUSCULAR STRENGTH AND QUADRICEPS ANGLE IN SUBJECTS WITH PATELLOFEMORAL PAIN

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between abdominal flexor muscle strength and Q-angle. A total of 45 subjects participated; Q-angle and abdominal flexor strength utilizing a double-leg lowering test (DLLT) were measured. The relationship between abdominal flexor strength and Q-angle was investigated using a Pearson r correlation test. A t-test was used to compare patellofemeral pain syndrome (PFPS) to non-PFPS groups, and to evaluate gender differences. A significant correlation was found between Q-angle and abdominal flexor strength in both genders (male r =.62, p<.001; female r =.52, p=0.019). No significant differences were found in Q-angle between PFPS and Non-PFPS groups (t =.512, p =.61). There was a significant difference in abdominal flexor strength between genders (t=-4.29, p<.0001).