Eccentric Hip Abduction Strength Research Articles

Asymmetry Thresholds for Common Screening Tests and Their Effects on Jump Performance in Professional Soccer Players.

Arbitrary asymmetry thresholds are regularly used in professional soccer athletes, notwithstanding the sparse literature available to examine their prevalence. To establish normative and positional asymmetry values for commonly used screening tests and investigate their relationships with jumping performance. Cross-sectional study. Elite soccer screening. A total of 203 professional male soccer players. Bilateral and unilateral jumping; range of motion; and hamstrings (HAM), quadriceps (QUAD), and hip-adductor and -abductor strength tests were used to quantify asymmetry. Players were divided into 4 quartiles (Q1-Q4) based on the magnitude of their asymmetry for each test. Single composite scores were also developed to group tests by range of motion and HAM, QUAD, hip-adduction, and hip-abduction strength, and differences in jump performance were examined among players in each quartile. Large variability (range = 5.2%-14.5%) was evident in asymmetry scores across the different tests and physical qualities. Forwards displayed greater asymmetry in concentric quadriceps and eccentric hip-abduction strength (P < .05). The HAM and QUAD composite scores indicated that Q4 players' jumps were shorter than those in other quartiles during a single-legged countermovement jump and 10-second hop (P < .05). No decrements in unilateral jump performance were shown among players in each quartile for range of motion or hip-adduction and -abduction strength, and no composite measures of asymmetry affected bilateral jump performance. No single asymmetry threshold was present for all tests; the outcomes were task, variable, and population specific. Larger asymmetries in HAM and QUAD strength appeared to be detrimental to unilateral jump performance.

The association between eccentric hip abduction strength and hip and knee angular movements in recreational male runners: An explorative study.

Weak hip abductors may be related with increased hip adduction and knee abduction angular movement, which may be risk factors of lower extremity injuries. As the role of eccentric hip abduction strength (EHAS) on hip adduction angular movement and knee abduction angular movement (KABD) remains unclear, the purpose of this study was to explore the association between EHAS and hip and knee angular movement. In 100 healthy male recreational runners, EHAS was quantified using an isokinetic dynamometer, while hip and knee angular movements were collected using pressure-sensitive treadmill and Codamotion active marker system. Using multiple linear regression models (n=186 legs), no relationships between EHAS and hip and knee kinematics were found. A possible reason for the lack of relationship between EHAS and hip and knee kinematics may be owing to differences in the running kinematics. Some runners with weak EHAS may compensate the weakness by leaning toward the stance limb and thereby reduces the demand on the hip abductors with the consequence of increased knee abduction moment, which may lead to an increased knee abduction angular excursion. Possible, others mechanism as the quadriceps strength and activity in the hip and thigh muscles may also be able to explain the lack of relationship that may or may not exist. Despite the inconclusive results of this study, the findings may suggest that weak hip abductor muscles may be a relevant factor to focus on in future studies.

Large eccentric strength increase using the Copenhagen Adduction exercise in football: A randomized controlled trial.

Hip adductor injuries are frequent in football, and players with low adductor strength appear to be at increased risk of injury. High adductor muscle activity has been shown in the Copenhagen Adduction exercise (CA); however, an associated strength gain has not been investigated. This study aims to examine the eccentric hip adduction strength (EHAD) gain using the CA in-season. Two U-19 sub-elite football teams, including 24 football players, were randomized to either an 8-week supervised progressive training program in addition to the usual training (intervention) or to continue training as usual (control). EHAD, eccentric hip abduction strength (EHAB), and side-bridge endurance were measured using reliable test procedures at baseline and follow-up by a blinded tester. There was a significant interaction between group and time on EHAD, EHAB, and EHAD/EHAB ratio (P < 0.025). The intervention group demonstrated a 35.7% increase in EHAD (P < 0.001); a 20.3% increase in EHAB (P = 0.003), and 12.3% increase in EHAD/EHAB ratio (P = 0.019). No significant within-group differences were found in the control group (P > 0.335). Compliance was 91.25%, and median muscle soreness ranged from 0 to 2. The CA implemented in-season with an 8-week progressive training program elicited a large significant increase in EHAD, EHAB, and EHAD/EHAB ratio.

High eccentric hip abduction strength reduces the risk of developing patellofemoral pain among novice runners initiating a self-structured running program: a 1-year observational study.

Observational prospective cohort study with 1-year follow-up. To investigate the relationship between eccentric hip abduction strength and the development of patellofemoral pain (PFP) in novice runners during a self-structured running regime. Recent research indicates that gluteal muscle weakness exists in individuals with PFP. However, current prospective research has been limited to the evaluation of isometric strength, producing inconsistent findings. Considering that hip muscles, including the gluteus maximus and medius, activate eccentrically to control hip and pelvic motion during weight-bearing activities such as running, the potential link between eccentric strength and PFP risk should be evaluated. Eight hundred thirty-two novice runners were included at baseline, and 629 participants were included in the final analysis. Maximal eccentric hip abduction strength was measured using a handheld dynamometer prior to initiating a self-structured running program. The diagnostic criteria to classify knee pain as PFP were based on a thorough clinical examination. Participants were followed for 12 months and training characteristics were gathered with a global positioning system. Results from the unadjusted generalized linear regression model for cumulative risk at 25 and 50 km indicated differences in cumulative risk of PFP between high strength, normal strength, and low strength (P<.05), with higher strength associated with reduced risk. Findings from this study indicate that, among novice runners, a level of peak eccentric hip abduction strength that is higher than normal may reduce the risk of PFP during the first 50 km of a self-structured running program.

Eccentric hip abductor weakness in patients with symptomatic external snapping hip

Symptomatic external snapping hip can be a long-standing condition affecting physical function in younger people between 15-40 years. Gluteal weakness has been suggested to be associated with the condition. The aim of this study was to investigate whether eccentric hip abduction strength is decreased in patients with external snapping hip compared with healthy matched controls, and to examine isometric hip abduction, adduction, extension, flexion, internal rotation, and external rotation in patients with external snapping hip and matched controls. Thirteen patients with external snapping hip were compared with 13 healthy matched controls in a cross-sectional study design. The mean age of the patients was 25.5 ± 3.4 years and the mean age of the controls was 25.6 ± 2.6 years. Eccentric and isometric strength were assessed with a handheld dynamometer, using reliable test procedures. Eccentric hip abduction strength was 16% lower in patients with external snapping hip compared with healthy matched controls (1.50 ± 0.47 Nm/kg versus 1.82 ± 0.48 Nm/kg, P = 0.01). No other strength differences were measured between patients and controls (P > 0.05). Eccentric hip abductor weakness was present in patients with symptomatic external snapping hip compared with healthy matched controls.

Hip abduction strength training in the clinical setting: With or without external loading?

The side-lying hip abduction exercise is one of the most commonly used exercises in rehabilitation to increase hip abduction strength, and is often performed without external loading. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of 6 weeks of side-lying hip abduction training, with and without external loading, on hip abduction strength in healthy subjects. Thirty-one healthy, physically active men and women were included in a randomised controlled trial and allocated to side-lying hip abduction training, with or without external loading. Training without external loading was performed using only the weight of the leg as resistance, whereas training with external loading was performed with a relative load corresponding to 10 repetition maximum. Hip abduction strength was measured pre- and post-intervention. Isometric and eccentric hip abduction strength of the trained leg increased after hip abduction training with external loading by 12% and 17%, respectively, (P<0.05). Likewise, isometric and eccentric hip abduction strength of the trained leg increased after hip abduction training without external loading by 11% and 23%, respectively, (P<0.001). The strength increases were not different between groups (P>0.05). Six weeks of side-lying hip abduction training, with or without external loading, increases isometric and eccentric hip abduction strength to the same extent.

Eccentric hip adduction and abduction strength in elite soccer players and matched controls: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundEccentric hip adduction and abduction strength plays an important role in the treatment and prevention of groin injuries in soccer players. Lower extremity strength deficits of less than 10% on...