Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is a complex and multifactorial dysfunction whose etiology is not yet fully understood. It is believed that changes in proximal, local, and distal physical factors around the knee may increase patellofemoral stress and result in pain. The influence of psychological aspects on the individual's perception of pain has been increasingly recognized. Nevertheless, few studies have related physical and psychological characteristics with pain and physical function in runners with PFP.

The aim of the study was to verify whether physical and psychological variables of runners with PFP are associated with pain intensity and physical function.

These are partial results of a cross-sectional study. Isometric hip abductor and extensor, and knee extensor torques were evaluated using a handheld dynamometer. Ankle dorsiflexion amplitude was assessed using the anterior lunge test. The psychological variables assessed were pain catastrophizing and kinesiophobia. Pain catastrophizing was assessed by the Brief Pain Catastrophizing Scale (B-PCS), while kinesiophobia was assessed by the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia. Pain intensity in the last week was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale for Pain (VAS) and physical function was assessed using the Knee Anterior Pain Scale. The association between isometric torque, ankle dorsiflexion amplitude, kinesiophobia, and catastrophizing with pain intensity and physical function was investigated using the Spearman test, for analysis, a significance level of alpha < 0.05 was adopted. The degree of association was determined based on Munro's Proposal.

Ten runners with PFP (5 women and 5 men) with a mean age of 29 (±5.3) years were evaluated. A moderate correlation between isometric hip abductor torque and physical function was observed (p: 0.03, r=0.66). No other correlations were observed.

Greater isometric hip abductor torque was associated with better physical function in runners with PFP. Other associations may be observed with an increase in sample size.

The results of this study reinforce the findings of previous studies that demonstrated that strengthening the hip abductor muscles results in improvement in pain and physical function in runners with PFP.