Are there Differences in the Muscles Activation during Exercise for Patellofemoral Pain Patients? A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective. To compare the activation of the gluteus medius (GM) and tensor fasciae latae (TFL) muscles, during eleven exercises to strengthen the lateral hip region in volunteers with and without pattelofemoral pain.Methods. Twenty-four females participated in this study, the evaluation was performed through the electromyography analysis of the GM and TFL muscles during exercise, and strength was evaluated through of the contraction isometric volunteers' maximum to the normalization of data of the electromyography.Results. The exercises: Clam, squatting, single-limb squat, single-limb deadlift, the lateral plank, the hip abduction in orthostatims, sinking exercise, trunk lateral rot-tion, unilateral bridge, double-leg-kick and lateral elevation. These exercises were used as task to all volunteers. Demonstrated that most asymptomatic patients had greater activation in the GM, while the symptomatic group obtained greater activation values in TFL. In most exercises, the activation of the GM was earlier (p < 0.05).Conclusions. The symptomatic group showed greater activation in the TFL. While the asymptomatic group presented greater activation in the GM in most exercises.