Myofascial Release of Iliotibial Band and Eccentric Quadriceps Exercises for Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome in Recreational Cyclists

A bstract Background: Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is one of the most common overuse injuries among cyclists. It is widely seen in sports medicine and clinical practice, primarily presenting as pain in the anterior compartment of the knee. Iliotibial (IT) band tightness plays a crucial role in the development of PFPS, as it is clinically associated with patellar misalignment during knee flexion and extension. Aim: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of myofascial release and eccentric quadriceps exercises in recreational cyclists suffering from PFPS. Method: A total of 30 recreational cyclists aged between 18 and 30 years were selected and randomly assigned to two groups. Group A received myofascial release therapy, while Group B underwent eccentric quadriceps exercises. Both groups also participated in conventional physiotherapy rehabilitation for PFPS. The effectiveness of these interventions was assessed using the KUJALA questionnaire (anterior knee pain), with data collected before and after treatment. Results: The results indicated a significant improvement in KUJALA scores (p<0.05) post-treatment in both groups, demonstrating enhanced pain relief and functional recovery. However, when comparing the two interventions, Group B, which received myofascial release of the IT band, showed a significantly greater improvement in KUJALA scores than Group A, which performed eccentric quadriceps exercises. Conclusion: Overall, the results suggest that myofascial release is a more effective approach for managing patellofemoral pain compared to eccentric quadriceps exercises.