Background and Aim: Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is an orthopedic disorder of the knee joint which results in pain and impairment of performance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of combined exercise (hip abductor and external rotators strengthening + balance) on pain and performance in the patients with PFPS.

Materials and Methods: In this semi experimental study, 20 men with PFPS were selected by purposeful sampling and then randomly assigned to two groups, i.e. experimental (n=10) and control (n=10) groups. The experimental group performed a training program which consisted of hip abductor and external rotators strengthening and balance exercises, 3 sessions per week for eighth weeks. Pain and physical performance in the patients were assessed by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and WOMAC respectively, before and after exercise. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to analyze the data. P ≤0.05 was considered significant.

Results: The results indicated that the changes and interactions of the two variables of pain (F=14/2 and p=0/001) and physical performance (F=60/2 and p=0/001) were significant in the experimental group (P < 0.05) after exercise. The results also showed that the experimental group, had reduced pain and showed a significant improvement in the physical performance (p<0/05),  compared to the control group.

Conclusion: Considering the effectiveness of training in the improvement of performance and reduction of pain, this training protocol can be useful in the physical rehabilitation of PFPs.

Keywords: Pfps, Combined training (hip abductor and external rotators strengthen + balance), Function disabality, Pain.

Received: Aug 3, 2016      Accepted: Dec 18, 2016