Effects Of Hip Range Of Motion On Balance With Presence Or Absence Of A Warm-up

Abstract

Baseline balance assessments are commonplace in the athletic training field. They are used in comparison with re-evaluations to determine if an injury has occurred. PURPOSE: The specific aim of this study was to evaluate in what manner a warm-up effected hip range of motion (ROM) and balance testing in a collegiate population. The significance of this study is to reduce the inconsistencies surrounding baseline balance assessments. Currently there is limited research looking into how hip ROM directly impacts balance. METHODS: Data was collected from a total of 16 participants. Participants completed two testing periods under the condition of a biking protocol or a waiting protocol. The biking protocol required participants to cycle on an ergometric bike for 20 minutes at 3-5 METs, while the waiting protocol required no movement for 20 minutes. Immediately following each protocol, a manual goniometer was used to collect ROM values for hip flexion, extension, abduction, and internal and external rotation. The two balance assessments were then completed. Test one consisted of the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) with the second test utilizing a baseline balance test with the use of force plate technology. Hip ROM values and balance scores were compared between the two conditions. RESULTS: A Shapiro test was used to ensure the sample points were approximately normally distributed for the differences between the matched pairs. The flexion values for the left (p-value < .008) and right (p-value < .01) hip joints were found to be significant. All other hip ROM values demonstrated no significance. Significance was found for total errors of the BESS (p-value < .01). No significance was recorded for the force plate balance test. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate the presence of a warm-up increased hip flexion range of motion in both hip joints and also impacted BESS balance scores. In conclusion, this suggests the addition of a warm-up to baseline balance assessment. A larger sample size is needed to further validate these findings. Supported by American College of Sports Medicine - Central States Region Chapter Undergraduate Research Grant