Hip Abductor Strength and Hip External Rotator Strength Effects on Medial Knee Displacement in Post Pubescent Females
ABSTRACT Hip Abductor Strength and Hip External Rotator Strength Effects on Medial Knee Displacement in Post-Pubescent Females Megan A. Barry, University of Connecticut Purpose: The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between hip abductor (ABD) and hip external rotator (ER) strength with medial knee displacement (MKD) when in post-pubescent high school female athletes. Methods: Twenty-five post-pubescent high school female athletes (age= 16 ±1, mass= 58.6 kg ± 7.4 kg, height= 166 cm ± 8 cm) volunteered to participate in this study. Maximal isometric hip ABD and ER strength were measured using hand-held dynamometry, and MKD was assessed during a standardized jump-landing task using three-dimensional motion analysis. Participants were instructed to jump off a box, land, and immediately jump upwards for maximal height. Separate correlations were conducted to evaluate the relationship between hip ABD strength and hip ER strength with MKD. Linear regression with forced entry was performed to evaluate if hip ABD and/or hip ER strength significantly predicted MKD. Results: Neither hip ABD (r=-0.24, p=0.26) nor hip ER (r=-0.007, p=0.97) strength were significantly correlated with MKD or significantly predicted MKD (R2=0.11, p=0.28) in post-pubescent females. Conclusions: We found that hip ABD strength and hip ER strength are not significant predictors of MKD. We conclude that increasing hip strength alone is insufficient to prevent ACL and other lower extremity injuries. Strength training of the hip musculature may still need to be addressed in prevention and rehabilitation programs, but should also be combined with teaching proper neuromuscular control through balance, plyometrics, and sport-specific exercises.
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