Reduced knee extensor torque steadiness and increased motor unit discharge rate variability in young people with patellofemoral pain: a pilot study
Physically active people with PFP exhibit reduced torque steadiness, increased discharge rate variability, and potentially altered MU firing-torque relationships during single-joint knee extension exercise. These MU adaptations likely reflect neuromuscular adjustments to ongoing PFP, helping to sustain force production despite impaired motor control and potentially mitigating pain during multi-joint exercises.
Authors
- Michail Arvanitidis (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3339-6668)
- D. Falla
- Eduardo Martinez‐Valdes (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5790-7514)
- Gennaro Boccia (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8706-4098)
- Alberto Rainoldi
- Francesco Negro
Institutions
- Department of Medical Sciences (BY)
- Food & Nutrition (NL)
- University of Turin (IT)
- University of Birmingham (GB)
- University of Brescia (IT)
Publication Details
- Journal
- European Journal of Applied Physiology
- Published
- 2025-12-22
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-025-06083-8
- Primary Topic
- Lower Extremity Biomechanics and Pathologies
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00