Hip muscle strength is decreased in middle-aged recreational male athletes with midportion Achilles tendinopathy: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

ObjectiveInvestigating differences in hip muscle strength between athletes with Achilles tendinopathy (AT) and asymptomatic controls. DesignCross-sectional case-control study. SettingSports medical center. ParticipantsTwelve recreational male athletes with mid-portion AT and twelve matched asymptomatic controls. Outcome measuresIsometric strength of the hip abductors, external rotators, and extensors was measured using a handheld dynamometer. Functional hip muscle performance was evaluated with the single-leg squat. The Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment–Achilles (VISA-A) questionnaire was completed to determine clinical severity of symptoms. ResultsCompared to controls, participants with AT demonstrated 28.9% less isometric hip abduction strength (p = 0.012), 34.2% less hip external rotation strength (p = 0.010), and 28.3% less hip extension strength (p = 0.034) in the injured limb. Similar differences were found for the non-injured limb (26.7–41.8%; p < 0.03). No significant differences were found in functional hip muscle performance between the injured and non-injured limb or between the groups, and no significant correlation was found between hip muscle strength and VISA-A scores. ConclusionRecreational male athletes with chronic mid-portion AT demonstrated bilateral weakness of hip abductors, external rotators, and extensors compared to their asymptomatic counterparts. These findings suggest that hip muscle strength may be important in the assessment and rehabilitation of those with AT.