Musculoskeletal disorders of the lower limbs are often associated with poor hip muscle performance and altered kinematics during dynamic weight-bearing tasks. However, it is unclear whether altered lower-limb and pelvis/trunk motion, as a result of hip weakness, contributes to the development of musculoskeletal pathology and pain. 11,23 During the stance phase of activities such as walking, running, or hopping, the hip extensors and abductors play a complex role in control of the lower extremities, pelvis, and trunk. This includes deceleration of hip internal rotation and adduction 15 and maintenance of the equilibrium of the pelvis and trunk over the stance limb.7 Additionally, motion at the hip, pelvis, and trunk influences kinematics and kinetics at the knee. 11,23 Therefore, weakness of the hip musculature may be associated with altered kinematics at the knee, hip, pelvis, and trunk.A number of studies have examined the relationship between diminished hip muscle performance and kinematics in individuals with musculoskeletal dysfunction. For example, females with patellofemoral pain syndrome have lower maximum hip abductor and extensor torque and greater peak knee external rotation and hip adduction during the stance phase of running compared to healthy controls. 30,34 Similarly, hip osteoarthritis is associated with lower hip abductor strength, as well as greater pelvic drop and hip internal rotation, during the stance phase of walking.1,33 However, cross-sectional studies of patient popula-T T STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional laboratory study.
T T OBJECTIVES:To compare peak lower-limb, pelvis, and trunk kinematics and interjoint and intersegmental coordination in women with strong and weak hip muscle performance.
T T BACKGROUND:Persons with lower extremity musculoskeletal disorders often demonstrate a combination of weak hip musculature and altered kinematics during weight-bearing dynamic tasks. However, the association between hip strength and kinematics independent of pathology or pain is unclear.
T T METHODS:Peak hip extensor and abductor torques were measured in 150 healthy young women. Of these, 10 fit the criteria for the strong group and 9 for the weak group, representing those with the strongest and weakest hip musculature, respectively, of the 150 screened individuals. Kinematics of the hip, knee, pelvis, and trunk were measured during the stance phases of walking and rate-controlled hopping. Hip/knee and pelvis/trunk coordination were calculated using the vector coding technique.
T T RESULTS:There were no group differences in peak hip, knee, or pelvis kinematics. Participants in the weak group demonstrated greater trunk lateral bend toward the stance limb during hopping (P = .002, effect size [d] = 1.88). In the transverse plane, those in the weak group utilized less inphase coordination between the hip and the knee during walking (P = .036, d = 1.45) and more antiphase coordination between the hip and knee during hopping (P = .03, d = 1.47).
T T CONCLUSION:In the absence of pain or pathology, poor h...