{
  "abstract": "Objective: Hip stability training may influence the quadriceps angle (Q-angle) and pain, but the clinical relevance of static Q-angle changes remains uncertain. This study compared hip stability training with standard care for Q-angle, pain, and function in marathon runners with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS). Methods: We identified 487 marathon runners with PFPS, of whom 312 met the eligibility criteria. After 1:1 propensity score matching, 94 runners were retained in each group: hip stability training (Hip-STAB) and standard care (Control). Outcomes were assessed at baseline (W0) and at 4, 8, and 16 weeks (W4, W8, W16). Primary outcomes were standing Q-angle, visual analog scale pain during running (VAS-Run; 0–100 mm), and Anterior Knee Pain Scale (AKPS; 0–100 points). Results: Both groups improved over 16 weeks. Linear mixed-effects models showed significant time effects for Q-angle, VAS-Run, and AKPS (all p < 0.001), but no significant time-by-group interactions for Q-angle (p = 0.190), VAS-Run (p = 0.302), or AKPS (p = 0.317). Bonferroni-adjusted post-hoc comparisons did not identify significant between-group differences at W16. The association between Q-angle reduction and VAS-Run improvement was significant in the Hip-STAB group (r = 0.35, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.52, p < 0.001) and the Control group (r = 0.44, 95% CI 0.26 to 0.59, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Hip-STAB and standard care were each associated with improvements in static Q-angle, running pain, and function, but Hip-STAB was not superior to standard care. The correlation between Q-angle and pain changes should be interpreted as an association rather than evidence of a causal biomechanical mechanism.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Department of Sports Training, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei, Anhui, China",
    "Department of Sports, Zhengzhou Technical College, Zhengzhou, Henan, China",
    "Department of Public Course Teaching (Department of Physical Education), Hubei College of the Arts, Wuhan, Hubei, China"
  ],
  "article_type": "Research Article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 3,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Donghuan Bai"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Xiaodong Cao"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Shuolei Feng"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/aa42b96sbmm26.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1371/journal.pone.0357057",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "aa42b96sbmm26",
  "issns": [
    "1932-6203"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0357057",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "journal",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "2204|Lower Extremity Biomechanics and Pathologies"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Anatomy/Body limbs/Legs/Knees"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Anatomy/Musculoskeletal system/Skeleton/Pelvis/Hip"
    ],
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      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Anatomy/Musculoskeletal system/Skeleton/Skeletal joints/Knees"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Biomechanics"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Physiology/Biological locomotion/Running"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Sports science/Sports and exercise medicine/Exercise/Strength training"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Anatomy/Body limbs/Legs/Knees"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Anatomy/Musculoskeletal system/Skeleton/Pelvis/Hip"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Anatomy/Musculoskeletal system/Skeleton/Skeletal joints/Knees"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Clinical medicine/Signs and symptoms/Pain"
    ],
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      "/Medicine and health sciences/Complementary and alternative medicine/Exercise therapy"
    ],
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      "/Medicine and health sciences/Public and occupational health/Physical activity/Physical fitness/Exercise/Strength training"
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    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Sports and exercise medicine/Exercise/Strength training"
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      "/Physical sciences/Physics/Classical mechanics/Statics"
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  "pdf_url": "https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0357057&type=printable",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-09-17",
  "publisher": "Public Library of Science",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/aa42b96sbmm26.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:17:49Z",
      "native_id": "10.1371/journal.pone.0357057",
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      "url": "https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0357057"
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  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "plos:anatomy",
      "subfield": "physiology"
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  "title": "Effects of hip stability training versus standard care on Q-angle and pain in marathon runners with patellofemoral pain syndrome: A retrospective cohort study",
  "title_text": "Effects of hip stability training versus standard care on Q-angle and pain in marathon runners with patellofemoral pain syndrome: A retrospective cohort study",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:17:49Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/aa42b96sbmm26",
  "venue": "PLOS One",
  "versions": []
}