Journal of research in sport medicine and technology

The Effect of Gait Retraining Method with Verbal Feedback on Pain and Ground Reaction Force in Runners with Patellofemoral Pain syndrome

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Elahe Omidvar 1
Malihe Hadadnezhad 2
Mehdi Khaleghi tazeji 2

1 Master of Science, Department of Biomechanics and Sports Injuries, Faculty of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran

2 Associate Professor, Department of Biomechanics and Sport Injuries, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Kharazmi University

10.22034/jsmt.2026.7738
Abstract
Objective: The study aimed to investigate the impact of gait retraining using verbal feedback on pain and peak vertical ground reaction force in runners with patellofemoral pain syndrome, a common treatment and prevention method for the condition that involves modifying movement patterns to ensure knee joint stability.
Methods: The current research was applied, and a semi-experimental study method with a pre-test-post-test design was used. The statistical sample of this research was made up of 20 runners with patellofemoral pain syndrome who were identified by a physiotherapist using the Clark test and were randomly divided into two control and experimental groups. The experimental group performed eight weeks of running and three sessions per week along with the walking retraining protocol with verbal feedback from the researcher, while the control group did not receive any intervention to their exercise. The variables studied in this research were the pain factor and the peak vertical ground reaction force, which were recorded respectively using a visual analog scale and a Bartek dynamometer with a sampling frequency of 1000 Hz in both pre- and post-test stages.
Results: The results of the the mixed analysis of variance test with repeated measurements showed that the interactive effect of time on the group was significant and, the gait retraining protocol by verbal feedback reduced pain (P=0.000) and the peak vertical ground reaction force in the experimental group (P=0.003).
Conclusion: The existence of differences in pain variables and peak ground reaction force during running confirms the need to use different strategies in the training of athletes. It is suggested that trainers have a special look at the gait retraining approach by verbal feedback to correct the movement pattern while running, in rehabilitation, and specialized exercises.

Keywords

patellofemoral pain
gait retraining
Pain
Ground Reaction Force
Running
Subjects
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Journal of research in sport medicine and technology
Volume 24, Issue 31 - Serial Number 47
October 2026
Pages 255-272

  • Receive Date 22 March 2026
  • Revise Date 18 June 2026
  • Accept Date 21 June 2026
  • First Publish Date 21 June 2026
  • Publish Date 01 July 2026