RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BODY MASS INDEX (BMI) AND PATELLOFEMORAL PAIN SYNDROME (PFPS) IN RECREATIONAL CRICKETERS AT MEDICAL COLLEGES IN LAHORE

Background: Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) is a prevalent cause of anterior knee pain, particularly in individuals involved in sports requiring repetitive knee loading. Although numerous studies have explored PFPS in elite athletes, limited attention has been given to recreational cricketers, especially within the Pakistani context. Given that Body Mass Index (BMI) may contribute to increased mechanical stress on the patellofemoral joint, investigating its role in this specific population could offer meaningful insights for injury prevention and management. Objective: To evaluate the association between Body Mass Index (BMI) and the severity of Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) among recreational cricketers enrolled in medical colleges in Lahore, Pakistan. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed, including 91 recreational cricketers aged 18 to 30 years from various medical colleges in Lahore. Convenience sampling was used. Participants were required to have a non-traumatic history of anterior knee pain for at least three months. The Kujala Anterior Knee Pain Scale (AKPS) was utilized to assess symptom severity, and BMI was calculated using standard anthropometric measurements. Participants were stratified into BMI categories for subgroup analysis. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26, with Pearson’s correlation applied to examine the relationship between BMI and AKP scores. Results: The sample had a mean age of 25.01 ± 2.00 years and a mean BMI of 23.90 ± 2.79 kg/m². The average AKP score was 87.30 ± 13.58. A statistically significant moderate negative correlation was observed between BMI and AKP scores (r = -0.487, p < 0.001), indicating that higher BMI levels were associated with more severe patellofemoral pain. Conclusion: Higher BMI is moderately associated with increased severity of PFPS symptoms among recreational cricketers. These findings underscore the importance of considering body composition in preventive and rehabilitative approaches for non-professional athletes.