Background: Patellofemoral pain is one of the most common injuries in recreational runners, with significant implications for dynamic knee valgus. The knee valgus angle can be corrected surgically or with a more conservative non-operative approach. Increasing running cadence may be an effective biomechanical gait retraining intervention to reduce knee valgus and thus patellofemoral pain. The primary purpose of this study was to examine if an increase in cadence could change the knee valgus angle. Methods: Ten asymptomatic recreational runners were recorded running on a treadmill during control and experimental intervals. Each interval lasted five minutes, and participants ran at 100% and 110% of their baseline cadence. Peak angles of knee valgus were compared between both intervals using the video analysis software application Dartfish Express. A paired sample, a two-tailed t-test, was used to determine the significant difference between bilateral frontal plane knee angle measurements during both intervals. Results: The average decrease in knee valgus measured in control versus experimental intervals was 2.23° for the right leg and 2.05° for the left leg, with a significance of p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively. Conclusion: The results indicated a statistically significant decrease in angles of dynamic knee valgus, attributable to increased cadence. These changes in knee valgus angle are likely to have a positive impact on preventing and reducing pain associated with PFP.

Context : Triathlons are a popular endurance sport with an elevated injury risk. Prevalence for injuries in triathletes varies greatly and is thought to be related to racing distance. The most common injuries in triathletes occur in the lower-extremities and are considered overuse in nature. The primary purpose of this study was to examine injury patterns and prevalence among triathletes during the 2022 season. Design : This study adopts an epidemiological approach using a retrospective survey to better understand the prevalence, nature, and patterns of injuries among triathletes. Methods : A live online questionnaire was developed that collected information about demographics, triathlon racing, and injury epidemiology. The survey was posted to social media and emailed to large triathlon clubs and international federations at the beginning of 2023 and was left open for 75 days. Results : Two hundred nineteen triathletes reported at least 1 injury, with 58.5% classified as overuse. Eighty-one percent were reported as triathlon related. The most frequent area of injury was to the lower-extremity (73.8%). Triathletes sought advice from a health care provider 64.6% of the time. Eighty-seven percent of triathletes had to miss or modify training because of their injury. Those triathletes not reporting injury indicated that strength training (72.2%) and stretching/foam rolling (64.9%) were believed to help prevent injury. Conclusion : The risk of injury while training for a triathlon is significant and can be severe enough to require modifications to the training program. The most vulnerable area for injury is the lower-extremities, and such injuries are usually caused by overuse. To reduce the risk of injury, there is a need to examine preventive strategies further and determine their effectiveness.

Health disparities among racial and ethnic groups in the U.S. are well documented. Among the non-medical issues, including discrimination, language barriers, and low health literacy, the patient-provider relationship has been identified as a factor that drives health disparities. Negative interactions with healthcare providers and the healthcare system produce poor health outcomes, exacerbating health inequalities and reducing the likelihood of patients adhering to recommended treatments and therapies. The purpose of this study was to examine racial differences in perceptions and experiences of adverse treatment by healthcare providers. A cross-sectional analysis of select variables from the All of Us research program basic and social determinants of health survey data. The study sample included 57,107 participants, 60% were females, and 83% were white. There were significant differences in the perceptions of provider treatment between Whites and Blacks. The data revealed that in all categories, Blacks perceived their experience as negative or less favorable compared to White respondents. These findings may spur interest in fostering and strengthening the patient-provider relationship and increasing awareness of and eliminating practices that demoralize and devalue the patient, particularly those of differing backgrounds.