Effects of Core Strengthening on Rehabilitating Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome in Distance Runners

 

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a common overuse injury experienced by distance runners. It is characterized by anterior knee pain around the patella due to repetitive stress, patellar mistracking, and muscular imbalance. Traditionally, clinicians have focused on a “knee-only” rehabilitation approach aimed at strengthening musculature and reducing pain around the knee joint. However, with emerging research it has been suggested that this “knee-only” approach overlooks the role of the core and its influence on the patellofemoral joint. Incorporating core strengthening into rehabilitation programs for runners with PFPS may help improve lower extremity alignment and reduce stress on the patellofemoral joint. Quantifying the effectiveness of core strengthening as part of PFPS rehabilitation could support its integration into clinical physical therapy practice.

Research Findings: 

• Incorporating hip and core strengthening led to greater & faster improvements in pain reduction, muscle strength, and functional outcomes compared to knee-only programs.

• Reduced core stability negatively affects lower extremity biomechanics in runners, increasing patellofemoral joint stress and potential injury risk

• Multimodal programs that combine both core and knee rehabilitation approaches are most effective for managing PFPS 

Practical Applications: 

• Physical therapy clinics continually strive to incorporate the most effective, evidence-based interventions. Core strengthening offers a cost-effective and easily integrated strategy for rehabilitating individuals with PFPS.

• Core strengthening exercises can be easily taught and prescribed, providing patients with a treatment option they can perform independently at home. This approach could promote long-term adherence to rehabilitation. 

• By strengthening the core, this could lead to other unforeseen improvements in running biomechanics. Not only could this treatment be used effectively for treating PFPS, but it could also be seen as a potential preventative measure for other lower extremity injuries

Additional Resources: 

What Is Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome?

Exercises For Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

About The Author:

Brynne LeCours is a current senior student-athlete at Westfield State University majoring in Movement Science with a concentration in Sports Medicine. She will be graduating in the spring of 2026 and will be continuing to higher education at the University of Hartford pursuing a clinical Doctorate in Physical Therapy. She can be contacted via email at brynnelecours@gmail.com or LinkedIn. 

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