{
  "abstract": "Objective\n\nOptimal management of adolescent patellofemoral pain syndrome requires evidence-based interventions that maximize physical recovery without overloading the patellofemoral joint. This study investigated the efficacy of aquatic plyometric (Aquatic-Plyo) exercises on pain, muscle strength, and functional disability and health-related quality of life in this demographic.Design\n\nA dual-arm randomized controlled trial.Subjects/patients\n\n56 adolescents with patellofemoral pain syndrome (age: 10-18 years).Methods\n\nAdolescents were allocated to an experimental Aquatic-Plyo group or a control group performing conventional exercises. Both arms completed 45-min sessions twice weekly for 12 weeks. Pre- and post-treatment assessments included pain intensity, isokinetic knee (quadriceps and hamstrings) torque at 120°/s and 180°/s, functional disability, and health-related quality of life.Results\n\nMixed-model ANOVA confirmed the therapeutic dominance of the Aquatic-Plyo protocol. It yielded superior pain relief (p = 0.004, η2p = 0.14) and larger increases in quadriceps [120°/s (p = 0.006, η2p = 0.13); 180°/s (p = 0.008, η2p = 0.12)] and hamstring [120°/s (p = 0.007, η2p = 0.13); 180°/s (p = 0.023, η2p = 0.09)] peak torque. Moreover, the Aquatic-Plyo intervention drove greater reduction in functional disability (p = 0.03, η2p = 0.08) and notable enhancement in perceived health-related quality of life (p = 0.023, η2p = 0.09).Conclusion\n\nAquatic-Plyo exercises effectively reduces pain and disability while improving muscle strength and health-related quality of life in adolescents with patellofemoral pain syndrome, making it a valuable addition to conservative rehabilitation strategies.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia.",
    "Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia. rke_pt2001@yahoo.com.",
    "Department of Physical Therapy, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia.",
    "Department of Physical Therapy, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia; Department of Physical Therapy for Surgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.",
    "Department of Physical Therapy for Pediatrics, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt."
  ],
  "article_type": "research article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 12,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Mazyad A Alotaibi"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Ragab K Elnaggar"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Ahmed S Alhowimel"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Saud M Alrawaili"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Tamer E Elnegamy"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Hesham A Alfeheid"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Maged A Basha"
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    {
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        3
      ],
      "name": "FatmaAlzahraa H Kamel"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Saleh M Aloraini",
      "orcid": "0000-0001-7939-8098"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Feras Alsultan"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Amal Alharbi"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        4
      ],
      "name": "Mahmoud S Elfakharany"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/c7g157md09hj2.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.2340/jrm.v58.46495",
  "fulltext_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13685587",
  "id": "c7g157md09hj2",
  "issns": [
    "1650-1977",
    "1651-2081"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42895359",
  "language": "eng",
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "2204|Lower Extremity Biomechanics and Pathologies"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7222965129",
  "pdf_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13685587?pdf=render",
  "pmcid": "PMC13685587",
  "pmid": "42895359",
  "published": "2026-10-19",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/c7g157md09hj2.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:19:33Z",
      "native_id": "MED:42895359",
      "source": "europepmc",
      "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42895359"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "journal-openalex:F27",
      "subfield": "general"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Clinical and functional outcomes of aquatic plyometrics in adolescent patellofemoral pain syndrome: a dual-arm randomized controlled trial.",
  "title_text": "Clinical and functional outcomes of aquatic plyometrics in adolescent patellofemoral pain syndrome: a dual-arm randomized controlled trial.",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:19:33Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/c7g157md09hj2",
  "venue": "Journal of rehabilitation medicine",
  "versions": []
}