Clinical and functional outcomes of aquatic plyometrics in adolescent patellofemoral pain syndrome: a dual-arm randomized controlled trial.

Authors

Mazyad A Alotaibi, Ragab K Elnaggar, Ahmed S Alhowimel, Saud M Alrawaili, Tamer E Elnegamy, Hesham A Alfeheid, Maged A Basha, FatmaAlzahraa H Kamel, Saleh M Aloraini, Feras Alsultan, Amal Alharbi, Mahmoud S Elfakharany

Published in

Journal of rehabilitation medicine. Volume 58. Pages jrm46495. Oct 19, 2026. Epub Oct 19, 2026.

Abstract

Optimal 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.
A dual-arm randomized controlled trial.
56 adolescents with patellofemoral pain syndrome (age: 10-18 years).
Adolescents 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.
Mixed-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).
Aquatic-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.

PMID:
42895359
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 19 Oct 2026.

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