Spatiotemporal Gait Parameters and Variability in Individuals with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: A Comparative Study

Background: Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is one of the most prevalent musculoskeletal disorders among young females, potentially affecting gait patterns and increasing the risk of secondary injuries. Objective: To compare spatiotemporal gait parameters and their variability between females with PFPS and healthy controls. Design: This applied study used a quasi-experimental, post-event causal-comparative design. Participants: Twenty-four females aged 18–25 were divided into two groups: PFPS (n=11) and healthy controls (n=13). Participants were selected via purposive and convenience sampling. Methods: Participants walked for one minute at their self-selected speed on a treadmill while gait data were recorded using two IMU sensors. Parameters such as stride length, stride time, walking speed, cadence, heel clearance, and stance/swing percentages were extracted across 20 gait cycles. Gait variability was calculated as the standard deviation of each parameter. Data were analyzed using MANOVA at a significance level of 0.05. Results: Significant differences were found in stride length and walking speed between the groups (p<0.05), with higher values in the healthy group. No significant differences were observed in other parameters or in gait variability. Conclusion: Reduced stride length and speed in PFPS individuals may reflect compensatory mechanisms due to pain. These alterations may cause abnormal joint loading, increasing the risk of secondary injuries and long-term movement disorders.