Active pelvic tilt is reduced in athletes with groin injury; a case-controlled study

Abstract

ObjectiveTo study if athletes with groin injury had less active pelvic tilt (APT) than non-injured controls. DesignCase-control. SettingSports physiotherapy clinics and sports clubs. Participants17 athletes (Tegner>5, age 25.1(5.2) with groin injury and 27 healthy controls (Tenger>5, age 24.4(3.6)). Main outcome measuresActive pelvic tilt, defining the ability of an individual to actively tilt the pelvis anteriorly and posteriorly over a frontal axis, and hip range of motion (HROM) parameters. ResultsLinear regression model associations with generalized estimated equations revealed that APT was lower on injured sides compared to non-injured for total (21.1(7.1) vs. 27.2(8.0), P = .003, effect size (ES) = 0.8) and anterior (10.2(5.9) vs. 13.7(4.8), P = .004, ES = 0.65) APT. Posterior APT (−10.9(3.6) vs. −13.4(5.2), P = .06, ES = 0.56) showed a trend towards being lower in those with groin injury. HROM parameters were not found associated. ConclusionsTotal active and anterior pelvic tilt were lower on the injured side in athletes with groin injury when compared to non-injured sides and healthy controls. This may be a relevant factor to consider in rehabilitation. Whether this is a cause or effect cannot be ascertained due to the cross sectional study design.