Email this article 
Hide
Show all
Original Research
Anterior knee pain and its intrinsic risk factors among runners in under-resourced communities in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng
Submitted: 06 February 2018 | Published: 13 September 2018
About the author(s)
Siyabonga H. Kunene, Department of Physiotherapy, University of the Witwatersrand, South AfricaSerela Ramklass, School of Clinical Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Nomathemba P. Taukobong, Department of Institutional Planning, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, South Africa
Abstract
Background: Anterior knee pain (AKP) is the most common injury among runners, especially in females and young runners. Because of a deficit of rehabilitation services in under-resourced communities, runners train and compete with injuries, resulting in further complications.
Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and modifiable intrinsic risk factors for AKP among runners in under-resourced communities in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng Province.
Method: This cross-sectional study included a population of 347 runners from six running clubs. Convenience sampling was used to recruit 183 participants aged between 13 and 55. A standardised questionnaire determined AKP prevalence, and 12 physical tests screened for modifiable intrinsic risk factors. Descriptive and inferential statistical tests were used to analyse the data.
Results: AKP was present in 40% of participants, particularly in males (57.9%) and young runners (57.9%) with 3–5 years of running experience (31.1%). Anterior knee pain was significantly associated with age (chi-square [χ2] = 6.484, p = 0.039) and running experience (χ2 = 8.389, p = 0.036). The modifiable intrinsic risk factors found to have contributed significantly to AKP were: tight hamstrings (odds ratio [OR] = 1.021; p = 0.051); tight iliotibial band (OR = 1.1; p= 0.046); weak quadriceps (OR = 0.15; p = 0.040); weak hip muscles (OR = 1.13; p = 0.004) and patellar tilt abnormalities (OR = 1.33; p = 0.015).
Conclusion: Anterior knee pain and various modifiable intrinsic risk factors were found among these runners. These findings suggest that management of AKP should take into consideration the effect of these identified modifiable risk factors to improve management outcomes. A community-based rehabilitation approach should be considered, given the lack of resources in low socio-economic communities.
Clinical implications: The results from this study make explicit the risk factors associated with AKP, particularly in runners from under-resourced communities. These are important considerations in the development of rehabilitation programmes to manage AKP.
Keywords
Metrics
Total abstract views: 6971Total article views: 10535
Crossref Citations
1. Electromyographic activity of the lower limb in runners with anterior knee pain while running
Paulo Augusto de Almeida Britto, Adriane Mara de Souza Muniz, Jurandir Nadal
Research on Biomedical Engineering vol: 37 issue: 2 first page: 135 year: 2021
doi: 10.1007/s42600-021-00128-5
2. The effect of patellar taping combined with isometric strength training on pain, muscle strength, and functional performance in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome: a randomized comparative study
Shahnaz Hasan
PeerJ vol: 13 first page: e19381 year: 2025
doi: 10.7717/peerj.19381
3. Investigating the validity of low-cost technologies for the assessment of jumping-based performances in people with patellofemoral pain
Germari Deysel, Mariaan van Aswegen, Mark Kramer
South African Journal of Sports Medicine vol: 37 issue: 1 year: 2025
doi: 10.17159/2078-516X/2025/v37i1a20301
4. Local neuromuscular characteristics associated with patellofemoral pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis
S.A. Alsaleh, N.A. Murphy, S.C. Miller, D. Morrissey, S.D. Lack
Clinical Biomechanics vol: 90 first page: 105509 year: 2021
doi: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2021.105509
5. Common Risk Factors for Knee Injuries in Runners: A Systematic Review
Krithika Senthil, Sarah Whitaker, Muzaffar Nazarov, Benjamin Cassidy, Carl Edge, John Cyrus, Conor O’Neill, Jonathan Goodloe
Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine vol: 14 issue: 5 year: 2026
doi: 10.1177/23259671261444314
6. The Falcon Test: An Observer Agreement Study in Subjects With and Without Anterior Knee Pain
Michael T. Cibulka, Payton Wunderlich, Hayden Klockenga, Andrew Reed, John Sandman
International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy vol: 18 issue: 2 year: 2023
doi: 10.26603/001c.73190
7. A Study on the Effects of Gluteal Muscle Activation on the Electromyography of Lower Limb Muscles in Young Male Patients With Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Wu Yue, Ren Shuang, Huang Hongshi, Ao Yingfang, Gou Bo
Orthopaedic Surgery vol: 17 issue: 3 first page: 744 year: 2025
doi: 10.1111/os.14320
8. Frecuencia y características del dolor de rodilla en deportistas de élite de atletismo: estudio transversal
E. Zapardiel Sánchez, J. Bailón-Cerezo, A. Basas García, F. Vergara Pérez
Fisioterapia vol: 42 issue: 2 first page: 60 year: 2020
doi: 10.1016/j.ft.2019.12.005
9. Efficacy of Patellar Taping and Electromyographic Biofeedback Training at Various Knee Angles on Quadriceps Strength and Functional Performance in Young Adult Male Athletes with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Shahnaz Hasan, Asma Alonazi, Shahnawaz Anwer, Azfar Jamal, Suhel Parvez, Faiz Abdulaziz Saleh Alfaiz, Heng Li, Vahid Rakhshan
Pain Research and Management vol: 2022 first page: 1 year: 2022
doi: 10.1155/2022/8717932
10. Assessing quadriceps strength in patellofemoral pain patients: A study on the reliability and validity of a low-cost strain-gauge for clinical practice
Germari Deysel, Mariaan van Aswegen, Mark Kramer, Theodoros M. Bampouras
PLOS ONE vol: 19 issue: 5 first page: e0298570 year: 2024
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0298570