Effect of running velocity on patellofemoral joint stress

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a common complication in female runners related to patellofemoral joint stress (PFJS). Increases in stride length alone may intensify PFJS, while increasing cadence alone may lower it. Running velocity is the product of stride length and cadence. Our purpose was to examine the effect of running velocity on PFJS. 29 females were ran during 3 velocity conditions: fast, medium, and slow. Kinematic and kinetic data were utilized to calculate the quadriceps force, knee range of motion (KneeROM), stride length, cadence, and PFJS. Velocity increased quadriceps force, cadence, step length, and PFJS, while KneeROM diminished.