Hip abductor weakness and lower extremity kinematics during running.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if females with hip abductor weakness are more likely to demonstrate greater knee abduction during the stance phase of running than a strong hip abductor group.


METHODS
Observational prospective study design.


METHODS
University biomechanics laboratory.


METHODS
15 females with weak hip abductors and 15 females with strong hip abductors.


METHODS
Group differences in lower extremity kinematics were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA with one between factor of group and one within factor of position with a significance value of P < .05.


RESULTS
The subjects with weak hip abductors demonstrated greater knee abduction during the stance phase of treadmill running than the strong group (P < .05). No other significant differences were found in the sagittal or frontal plane measurements of the hip, knee, or pelvis.


CONCLUSIONS
Hip abductor weakness may influence knee abduction during the stance phase of running.
Heinert
Becky L
BL
Sports Medicine Department, Gundersen Lutheran Sports Medicine, La Crosse, WI, USA.
Kernozek
Thomas W
TW
Greany
John F
JF
Fater
Dennis C
DC
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006615:Hip / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000473:pathology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult