Rear-foot kinematics in runners with PFPS during walking, squatting and uphill running

Background Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is the most common overuse injury in distance runners. A pilot investigation found that runners with a history of PFPS exhibited increased rear-foot eversion and reduced rear-foot dorsiflexion compared to uninjured controls during level treadmill running [1]. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether these kinematic alterations were also demonstrated during activities that demanded more dorsiflexion (uphill running and squatting) and less dorsiflexion (walking) compared to level running.