Hip-related pain is common in young active people and is associated with intra-articular pathology and the pathogenesis of early onset osteoarthritis (OA). Hip-related pain can impact athletic participation and quality of life, as well as pose an ongoing financial burden to society through costs associated with long term management, including surgery. Improved knowledge of factors that contribute to the symptoms of hip-related pain and progression of joint degeneration are important. Muscles surrounding the hip are proposed to influence joint forces and dynamic stability, which can impact joint health and symptoms, yet little is known about muscle activity or morphology in hip-related pain. A greater understanding of the role that muscles play in hip-related pain may identify pathways for targeted treatment and primary prevention strategies in the future. A systematic review and meta-analysis (Study 1) was undertaken to ascertain the current best evidence regarding muscle morphology in hip-related pain. This review investigated all stages of articular hip pathology across the pathological continuum, identifying the presence of altered muscle morphology in moderate to advanced hip OA. The magnitude of difference in muscle size was not uniform across all muscles, suggesting they may be uniquely influenced by demand in articular pathology. Hypertrophy of deep anterior muscles, spanning the hip joint, in populations with compromised passive stability supports a hypothesis of increased activity to augment joint stability. Limited research has examined muscle activity in earlier stages of hip pathology, highlighting the need for further investigation of muscles surrounding the hip joint to clarify their role in hip-related pain. Iliocapsularis is a pericapsular muscle orientated over the anterior hip with direct attachments to the capsule. Because of its location and capsular insertions, it is theorised to play a dynamic role in joint stability which may be important in hip-related pain. Intramuscular electromyography (EMG) of Iliocapsularis has not been undertaken, due in part to its relative anonymity, and close proximity to the femoral neurovascular bundle posing technical 3.2.5