Introduction: Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) is one of the most common knee disorders among athletes. One of the main issues that patients with PFPS suffer from is lack of balance, the absence of which interferes with daily and sport activities.
Methodology: 30 female basketball players with sport history over 3 years were randomly divided into three groups; group 1 (n=10) which underwent lower limbs muscle sling isometric exercises, group 2 (n=10) which underwent lower limbs muscle sling isotonic exercises and group 3 (n=10) which was divided as the control group. Experimental groups (1 & 2) received 8 weeks of exercises while the control group received no specific exercises. Basketball players were analyzed 24 hours before and 48 hours after the eight week exercises using Stork Static Balance Test (SSBT) and Y Dynamic Balance Test (YDBT).
Results: Eight weeks after EMSII exercises, when scores were compared to the values before exercises, SSBT differed significantly (p=0.001) between both isometric and isotonic groups in comparison with the control group. Differences between isometric group with the control group were observed (p=0.001) and between isotonic with control group were observed (p=0.003). As a consequence no significant difference (p=1) was observed between isometric and isotonic groups. In YDBT, significant differences (p=0.001) were observed before and after the exercises in all groups. Differences between isometric group and the control group and also between isotonic group and the control group had no significant differences (p=0.001). In fact, any significant differences (p=0.06) were not observed between isometric and isotonic exercises.
Discussion: Eight week muscle sling isometric and isotonic exercises may lead to an increase in the static and the dynamic balances in female basketball players with PFPS. But there were no significant differences in effectiveness of isometric and isotonic exercises.