Effect of aquatic and land-based exercise programs on the pain and motor function of weight lifters with patellofemoral pain syndrome

Patellofemoral Syndrome (PFPS) is one of the most common knee joint problems among the athletes. The present study was aimed to compare the effect of aquatic and land-based exercise methods on the pain level and motor function of the weight lifters with patellofemoral syndrome. A total of twenty weight lifters with patellofemoral syndrome participated in this quasi-experimental study. They were randomly divided to two groups of aquatic exercise and land-based exercise. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Kujala Scale were used before and after the exercise period to measure the pain and motor function، respectively. To compare the pre-test and post-test scores of the participating groups، dependent t-test was used and to compare the differences between groups، ANOVA was applied. The results of post-test showed a significant difference in both groups in terms of pain level and motor function compared to pre-test after eight weeks of strength exercise. However، the comparison of data indicated no significant difference between groups with regard to pain level and motor function. According to the findings of this study، exercise in water and on land can reduce the pain and improve the performance of the patients with patellofemoral syndrome.