Taking advantage of the topography.

We have a  40 degree hill outside the front of our gym that I'll frequently use when treating patellofemoral issues.  The two exercises pictured are backward walking up the hill, then frontal plane walking down the hill with the affected leg on the down side.  The exercise creates a great  "integrated isolation" in the lower quad/VMO muscles.  The movement naturally creates a slight backward lean of the torso which tweaks out the glutes and erector spinae.  I like the athlete to do enough reps that it creates a good burn in the lower thigh; about a 2 minute rest, then 10 sets.

For some reason, running the movements doesn't work as well; not even as a progression.  A good progression is weighting them (pictured), or resisting them with a belt & bungee cord.  Sometimes athletes ask me what the difference would be walking backwards up a stairway.  My simple answer is it hurts and it doesn't work.

It's great for any patellofemoral issues, i.e. "jumpers knee", patellofemoral stress syndrome.