ABSTRACT

Background: Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) is a common overuse injury among marathon runners, often resulting in anterior knee pain and quadriceps muscle weakness. Plyometric training (PT), which utilizes the stretch–shortening cycle, may serve as an effective intervention to enhance quadriceps strength and reduce pain in this population. Methods: This experimental study employed a pretest–posttest control group design. Twenty marathon runners (N = 20) diagnosed with PFPS were randomly assigned to either a Plyometric Training Group (PTG, n = 10) or a Control Group (CG, n = 10). The PTG underwent a supervised progressive plyometric training program three times per week for four weeks, while the CG performed routine stretching and strengthening exercises. Pain intensity was measured using the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), and quadriceps strength was assessed using the One-Repetition Maximum (1RM) test at baseline and after four weeks. Results: Both groups showed significant within-group improvements in pain and strength from pre- to post-intervention (p < 0.05, Wilcoxon test). However, between-group comparison (Mann–Whitney U test) revealed that the PTG demonstrated significantly greater changes in pain reduction (?NPRS: p = 0.027) and strength gain (?1RM: p = 0.000). The PTG showed an average pain reduction of 1.22 points compared to 0.50 points in the CG, and a mean strength gain of 7.22 kg compared to 2.00 kg. Conclusion: Both interventions improved pain and quadriceps strength; however, plyometric training was significantly more effective. These results suggest that incorporating plyometric exercises can provide superior outcomes for marathon runners with PFPS. Keywords: PFPS, Plyometric Training, Quadriceps Strength, NPRS, 1RM, Pain
Publication date: 01/08/2026

https://www.ijbpas.com/pdf/2026/August/MS_IJBPAS_2026_10417.pdf

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https://doi.org/10.31032/IJBPAS/2026/15.8.10417