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LOGINStuck in the Middle: Patellar Tracking and Pain
Common in runners and cyclists, patellofemoral pain (PFP) results from improper tracking of the patella along the trochlear groove of the femur (see Figure 1). Many implicate vastus medialis obliquus (VMO) weakness as the cause of the patella sliding astray as the knee flexes and extends. As Chris Mallac explains, however, researchers lack a full understanding of the function of the VMO in patellar tracking. Mallac concludes that whatever the cause, when an athlete presents with PFP, they usually demonstrate VMO dysfunction as well.
In today’s featured article, Pat Gillham discusses how strengthening and stretching the soleus helps with patellofemoral pain (PFP). This unique approach to the treatment of PFP bucks traditional approaches that put the blame for PFP on the VMO. According to Gillham, strengthening the soleus helps a runner increase cadence which in turn decreases the ground reaction forces absorbed at the knee.
Both the above and below knee approach to the treatment of PFP come together in one perfect exercise: the cyclist squat (see Figure 2). Long used as a way to strengthen the VMO, the cyclist squat, by including deep knee flexion and slight heel elevation, also engages the soleus. While the VMO gets all the glory in the exercise and becomes the hero for resolving PFP, the stronger soleus may play an important role, by increasing step rate as well as decreasing the tibial progression rate in stance. If the soleus engages more effectively in controlling tibial progression, then the quadriceps won’t have to fire as rapidly to bring the rest of the body over the lower leg in terminal stance.
Certainly, exercises to address VMO dysfunction, as Mallac describes in part II of his series on patellar tracking, assist with PFP. And, as Gillham explains, soleus rehab has its place in the treatment of PFP as well. However, when looking for the biggest bang for your buck, include the cyclist squat in your training plan to target both at once.
University of Houston men’s basketball Director of Sports Performance, Alan Bishop @CoachAlanBishop, extols the benefits of the cyclist squat as modeled by fellow strength and conditioning coach Jason Wooding @Coach_Wooding.
Alicia Filley
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