Muscle synergies analysis shows altered neural strategies in women with patellofemoral pain during walking

Several studies suggest that the central nervous system coordinates muscle activation by modulating neural commands directed to groups of muscles combined to form muscle synergies. Individuals with patellofemoral pain (PFP) move differently from asymptomatic individuals. Understanding the neural strategies involved in the execution of tasks such as walking can help comprehend how the movement is planned and better understand this clinical condition. The objective of this study was to compare muscle synergies between women with and without PFP during walking. Eleven women with PFP and thirteen asymptomatic women were assessed using three-dimensional kinematics and electromyography (EMG) while walking at self-selected speed. Kinematics of the trunk, pelvis and lower limbs were analyzed through the Movement Deviation Profile. Muscle synergies were extracted from the EMG signals of eight lower limb muscles collected throughout the whole gait cycle. Kinematic differences between the two groups (p