Calisthenic Training as a Rehabilitation Strategy for Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: A Narrative Review

Shalini Sudhakar

Assistant Professor Senior, Faculty of Physiotherapy, Dr MGR Educational and Research Institute

ABSTRACT

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints in clinical and sports medicine practice. It affects a wide range of individuals of all ages and activity levels. PFPS is disorder of the knee joint and has been described as peripatellar or retropatellar pain that exacerbates with activities that load the patellofemoral joint and remains more challenging with respect to diagnosis and long-term management. Callisthenic training, where exercises are performed only by the use of bodyweight, has become popular method of training over the years owing to its cost-effectiveness, accessibility, and flexibility. This narrative review presents information regarding the use of callisthenic training in the management of PFPS. There is evidence to suggest that certain callisthenics exercises, especially those that focus on quadriceps strengthening, hip abductor activation, and neuromuscular control, can lead to significant reductions in pain and improvements in functional outcomes in people with PFPS. The review discusses the biomechanical rationale for the exercise, selection, dosing parameters and considerations for clinical implementation. However, the current literature is limited by heterogeneity in exercise protocols and outcome measures. This necessitates caution, but callisthenics training is a promising, evidence-informed approach for PFPS rehabilitation.

Key words – Patellofemoral pain syndrome, calisthenic training, Rehabilitation, Quadriceps strengthening, Hip muscle activation, PFPS.