Changes in the kinetics and kinematics of a reactive cut maneuver after successful athletic groin pain rehabilitation.

Abstract

Athletic groin pain (AGP) is a chronic, painful condition which is prevalent in players of field sports that require rapid changes of direction. Following successful rehabilitation, systematic changes have been observed in the kinetics and kinematics of pre-planned change of direction maneuvers, providing insight into potential foci for rehabilitation monitoring and for the assessment of interventions. However, changing direction in field sports is often reactive rather than pre-planned, and it is not known whether such post-rehabilitation changes are seen in reactive maneuvers. We analyzed the stance phase kinetics and kinematics of a 90° reactive cutting maneuver in 35 AGP patients before and after a successful exercise intervention program. Following the intervention, transverse plane rotation of the pelvis toward the intended direction of travel increased, and the body center of mass was positioned more anteriorly relative to the center of pressure. Ankle dorsiflexion also increased, and participants demonstrated greater ankle plantar flexor internal moment and power during the second half of stance. These findings provide insight into mechanical variables of potential importance in AGP, as identified during a maneuver based on a common sporting task.