Effectiveness of 6 weeks reactive neuromuscular training on pain, symptom severity, lower limb strength and dynamic stability among volleyball players with patellofemoral pain syndrome

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is one of the most common overuse injuries affecting athletes, particularly in sports that involve frequent jumping, sprinting, and rapid directional changes, such as volleyball. It is characterized by anterior knee pain, especially during activities like squatting, climbing stairs, or prolonged sitting. The condition often results from imbalances in muscular strength, poor neuromuscular control, and altered lower-limb biomechanics. Volleyball players are especially susceptible to PFPS due to the repetitive nature of high-impact movements such as jumping and landing, which place significant stress on the Patellofemoral joint. If not effectively managed, PFPS can lead to reduced athletic performance, prolonged absence from sport, and chronic pain. Reactive neuromuscular training (RNT) has emerged as a promising intervention that targets proprioception, dynamic joint stability, and muscle activation patterns. Unlike traditional strength training, RNT incorporates functional, sport-specific tasks that aim to correct faulty movement patterns and improve neuromuscular control. Despite growing interest in RNT, limited evidence exists regarding its efficacy specifically for PFPS in volleyball players. This gap highlights the need for targeted research to assess whether a structured 6-week RNT program can reduce pain severity, enhance lower limb strength, and improve dynamic stability in this population. Such findings could have significant implications for injury prevention and performance optimization in sports medicine and athletic training.