Sex differences in knee loading in recreational runners

Abstract

Patellofemoral pain is the most common chronic pathology in recreational runners. Female runners are at greater risk of developing patellofemoral pain, although the exact mechanism behind this is not fully understood. This study aimed to determine whether female recreational runners exhibit distinct knee loading compared to males. Fifteen male and fifteen female recreational runners underwent 3D running analysis at 4.0 m.s-1±5%. Sagittal/ coronal joint moments, patellofemoral contact forces (PTF) and pressures (PCP) were compared between sexes. The results show that females exhibited significantly greater knee extension (p<0.008, pη2=0.27: males= 3.04; females= 3.47 N.m.kg-1) and abduction (p<0.008, pη2=0.28: males=0.54; females=0.82 N.m.kg-1) moments as well as PTF (p<0.008, pη2=0.29: males= 3.25; females= 3.84 B.W) and PCP (p<0.008, pη2=0.26: males= 7.96; females= 9.27 Mpa) compared to males. Given the proposed relationship between knee joint loading and patellofemoral pathology, the current investigation provides insight into the incidence of patellofemoral pain in females.