Quadriceps strengthening by the Kaatsu Training method in women with patellofemoral pain

ABSTRACT This is a cross-sectional, comparative, and randomized study aimed to evaluate the effects of the partial vascular occlusion technique (Kaatsu Training) associated with low load exercises in the muscle strengthening of quadriceps in women with patellofemoral pain. We evaluated 18 women with patellofemoral pain, aged from 18 to 35 years, allocated into two groups. The experimental group performed the strengthening with blood flow reduction with the aid of a sphygmomanometer, associated with low load (≅20% RM). Whereas the control group performed exercises with the same load, but without blood flow reduction. The treatment was performed three times a week for six weeks, totaling 18 sessions. We used the numerical pain rating scale (NPRS) and the anterior knee pain scale (AKPS) questionnaire for evaluation; we evaluated the muscle strength of knee extensors by the digital dynamometer. The results showed that the partial vascular occlusion technique significantly improved the values of quadriceps strength gain in the right, 6.22kg (p=0.03) and left limb, 6.98kg (p=0.04), in women with patellofemoral pain. Therefore, training with partial vascular occlusion can be useful for strengthening of the knee extensor musculature in women with patellofemoral pain who, because of the pain, have low tolerance to high load exercises for muscle strengthening. An effective, safe and cost-effective technique, which does not require an investment in a leg extension machine, since, with a cuff, low load exercises can offer significant results.

摘要：本研究为一项横断面、对照并随机化的研究，旨在评估联合低负荷训练的部分血管闭塞技术（partial vascular occlusion technique，Kaatsu Training）对髌股关节疼痛女性受试者股四头肌肌力强化的效果。本研究纳入18名年龄18至35岁的髌股关节疼痛女性受试者，随机分为两组。实验组借助血压计实施血流限制性肌力强化训练，配合低负荷（约20%最大重复次数（Repetition Maximum，RM））；对照组采用相同负荷训练，但不进行血流受限处理。干预方案每周实施3次，持续6周，共计18次训练。本研究采用数字疼痛评分量表（NPRS）与膝前疼痛评分量表（AKPS）问卷进行评估，并通过数字测力计测量膝伸肌肌力。结果显示，对于髌股关节疼痛女性受试者，部分血管闭塞技术可显著提升股四头肌肌力增长值：右侧肢体增长6.22kg（p=0.03），左侧肢体增长6.98kg（p=0.04）。因此，对于因疼痛而无法耐受高负荷肌力强化训练的髌股关节疼痛女性受试者而言，部分血管闭塞训练可有效用于膝伸肌肌力强化。该技术无需购置腿部伸展训练器械，仅需配合袖带即可通过低负荷训练获得显著训练效果，是一种高效、安全且具备成本效益的训练方案。