This study evaluates whether a 6-week hip- and ankle-mobility-based rehabilitation program can improve pain, knee-related function, neuromuscular coordination, and physical performance in male soccer players with patellofemoral pain. Patellofemoral pain is a common condition in soccer players and may affect training tolerance, movement control, and sports performance. In this randomized controlled trial, participants are assigned to either an intervention group receiving hip- and ankle-mobility-based rehabilitation in addition to regular soccer training or a control group continuing regular soccer training alone. The rehabilitation program is performed 3 times per week for 6 weeks. Main outcomes include pain intensity and knee-related function. Additional outcomes include hip and ankle range of motion, vastus medialis-vastus lateralis onset timing, Y-Balance Test performance, and countermovement jump height. This study aims to determine whether improving proximal and distal joint mobility can contribute to better clinical and functional recovery in soccer players with patellofemoral pain.
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Inclusion Criteria: * Male soccer players aged 18 to 25 years At least 3 years of systematic soccer training experience Currently participating in organized soccer training at least 3 times per week Peripatellar or retropatellar pain consistent with patellofemoral pain Pain provoked during at least one load-bearing knee-flexion activity, including squatting, stair ambulation, running, jumping, or prolonged sitting Patellofemoral pain reproducible during squatting Symptom duration of at least 4 weeks Able to complete all testing and intervention procedures Exclusion Criteria: * History of knee surgery or major lower-limb surgery Acute lower-limb injury within the previous 6 months Other diagnoses that could explain anterior knee pain, including ligament injury, meniscal injury, patellar instability, osteoarthritis, or other tibiofemoral pathology Neurological or systemic disease affecting exercise performance Current participation in other structured lower-limb rehabilitation interventions