Effects of Hip Stabilization Exercises on Running Performance

Abstract

Running performance (RP) is influenced by aerobic power (VO2max), running economy (RE), and lactate threshold (LT). The use of hip stabilization training to supplement traditional aerobic training may further improve RP. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a hip stabilization training program on 2-mile running time trial (TT) performance. METHODS: 22 (nmale=10 nfemale=12; 23.2±3.4 yrs old, 67.8±3.28 kg, 158.5±26.07 cm) actively running (>30 minutes, 3-5 times·week-1, moderate to high intensity) subjects were randomly assigned to control (CON) or experimental (EXP) groups. Pre- and post-training, all subjects completed a 2-mile running TT to measure RP. All testing was performed on a 200-m indoor track to standardize environmental conditions. Subjects were started 15-sec apart to minimize congestion or pacing with other subjects. Times were recorded to the nearest 1-sec using a hand stopwatch. Between pre- and post-testing, EXP subjects performed 4-wks of hip stabilization exercises, 3 times/wk. The exercises included: 1) bodyweight hip hikes, 2) lying leg abduction with ext. rotation, and 3) abducted fwd-bkwd leg swings. All exercises were performed for 2 sets of 20 reps. Both groups were asked to maintain normal exercise patterns during the training period. A two-way ANOVA with repeated measures was used to evaluate statistical differences in RP. RESULTS: Mean ± SD for RP were - Pre-CON: 916.45 ± 158.14 sec and Post-CON: 914.36 ± 150.10 sec; Pre-EXP: 893.7 ± 57.51 sec and Post-EXP: 891.70 ± 92.84 sec. There were no significant differences in RP for the within subjects pre-post comparison (p=0.831) or the between subjects comparison (p=0. 675). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the hip stabilization exercises had no effect on RP. However, differences in pre- and post-testing pacing strategies may have significantly affected the TT results for both groups. Performing multiple TTs during a familiarization period might have reduced the intra-subject variability in TT performance attributed to a learning effect. In addition, the training regiments for all subjects varied considerably making it hard to discern the true effect of the intervention for EXP subjects.