Introduction: The present study was to investigate the effect of an eight week long correctional training using isometric and isotonic extensor lower muscle sling exercises on the pain and functional disability of female basketball players suffering from patellofemoral pain syndrome.
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's isometric exercises, group 2 (n=10) which underwent lower limbs muscle sling's isotonic exercises and group 3 (n=10) which was divided as the control group. Experimental groups (1 & 2) were received 8 weeks and control group was received no specific exercises. Basketball players analysed 24 hours before and 48 hours after 8 week exercises with using Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for analyzing pain and WOMAC disability questionnaires for analyzing functional disability.
Results: Eight weeks after (EMSII) exercises, when scores compared to the values before exercises, pain intensity was significantly different (p=0.002) in all groups. Differences between isometric group and control one observed (p=0.007) and between isotonic group and control one in comparison with each other was significant too (p=0.003). WOMAC questionnaire differed significantly (p=0.001) between both isometric and isotonic groups in comparison with control one. Differences between isometric group and control one were observed (p=0.001) and between isotonic group and control one observed too (p=0.001). As a consequence, no significant differences (p=1) were seen between isometric and isotonic groups.
Discussion: 8 weeks muscle sling's isometric and isotonic exercises may lead to decrease pain and functional disability in female basketball players with PFPS. But there were no significant differences in effectiveness of isometric and isotonic exercises.