Elite Athletes: Trunk Mobility, Lower Extremity Flexibility, and Functional Balance Across Sports

This cross-sectional observational study investigated the relationships among dynamic Q angle, core muscle endurance, hip flexibility, and lower extremity functional status in elite adolescent athletes with and without patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). A total of 75 track-and-field athletes aged 15-18 years were included, 42 with PFPS and 33 healthy controls. Dynamic Q angle was assessed using a digital goniometric analysis of the step-down test, core endurance was measured with the McGill endurance tests, flexibility was evaluated using the Straight Leg Raise, Modified Thomas, and Ober tests, and functional status was assessed with the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS). The study found that athletes with PFPS demonstrated a higher dynamic Q angle, lower core extension and lateral endurance, reduced hip flexor and iliotibial band flexibility, and lower functional scores compared with controls. Regression analyses indicated that hip flexor tightness and functional capacity were significant predictors of the dynamic Q angle in the PFPS group. These findings suggest that PFPS in adolescent athletes is a multidimensional condition influenced by proximal endurance, flexibility, and dynamic alignment rather than isolated knee-level factors.

NCT Number	NCT07326046
Lead Sponsor	Eastern Mediterranean University
Conditions	Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, Anterior Knee Pain
Enrollment	75 participants
Start Date	2025-03-01
Primary Completion	2025-09-15 (estimated)
Study Completion	2025-10-16 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2026-01-13