Abstract
Background and Objectives: The repetitive loading forces generated during football activities may induce alterations in the hip rotation range of motion (ROM) in players. The objective of this study was to evaluate the acute effects of a training and a match on bilateral passive hip rotation ROM in both lower limbs in soccer. Material and Methods: Twenty-eight male players were divided into two groups: 14 players (28 limbs) with normal bilateral hip rotation ROM (NH group) and 14 players (28 limbs) with restricted bilateral hip ROM (RH group). Passive bilateral hip rotation ROM was measured, by goniometer, before and after training or a match. Internal-rotation ROM (ROMIR), external-rotation ROM (ROMER), total ROM (ROMTOT) and relative internal rotation (ROMREL) were calculated. Results: The NH group did not show substantial changes in hip ROM after a training nor a match. After a training session, only the RH group exhibited a substantial increase in ROMIR, ROMER and ROMTOT. After a match, only the RH group exhibited a substantial increase in ROMER and ROMTOT and exhibited a substantial decrease in ROMREL. Comparing both groups, there were significant differences within ROM changes for ROMER and ROMTOT after training and for ROMER and ROMREL after a match. Conclusions: Despite the small sample size of the present study, the findings indicate that a single football activity leads to significant changes in hip rotation ROM in players with restricted bilateral hip external-rotation ROM. However, these changes did not reach reference cut-off scores.
Highlights
Football is the world’s most popular sport and repeated high intensity movements are required during football activities [1,2,3]. These movements may cause an overload in the joints, generating a biomechanical imbalance that could affect their normal range of motion (ROM), both in training sessions and games
Mosler et al [8] proposed normal values for hip ROM in professional football players; Manning and Hudson [9] suggested that a specific pattern of hip ROM, measured in supine, was found in professional footballers, which appeared to be different from controls; López-Valenciano et al [10]
Variations in hip ROMIR of each group after the training or match are presented in Tables 2 and 3
Summary
Football is the world’s most popular sport and repeated high intensity movements (including acceleration, deceleration, jumping, landing tasks and rapid changes of direction) are required during football activities [1,2,3] These movements may cause an overload in the joints, generating a biomechanical imbalance that could affect their normal range of motion (ROM), both in training sessions and games. Conclusions: Despite the small sample size of the present study, the findings indicate that a single football activity leads to significant changes in hip rotation ROM in players with restricted bilateral hip external-rotation ROM. These changes did not reach reference cut-off scores
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
