title: Passive hip range of motion is reduced in active subjects with chronic low back pain compared to controls.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Non-specific low back pain is a common condition often without a clear mechanism for its presentation. Recently more attention has been placed on the hip and its potential contributions to non-specific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP). Emphasis in research has mainly been placed on motor control, strength and endurance factors in relation to NSCLBP. Limited focus has been placed on hip mobility and its potential contribution in subjects with NSCLBP.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to compare passive ROM in hip extension, hip internal rotation, hip external rotation and total hip rotation in active subjects with NSCLBP to healthy control subjects. The hypothesis was that active subjects with NSCLBP would present with decreased total hip ROM and greater asymmetry when compared to controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two group case controlled.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical research laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  30 healthy subjects without NSCLBP and 30 active subjects with NSCLBP. Subjects categorized as NSCLBP were experiencing pain in the low back area with or without radicular symptoms of greater than three months duration.
  
  
  METHODS
  Passive hip extension (EXT), hip internal rotation (IR), hip external rotation (ER) and total hip rotation ROM. A digital inclinometer was used for measurements.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a statistically significant difference (p<0.001) in hip passive extension ROM between the control group and the NSCLBP group bilaterally. Mean hip extension for the control group was 6.88 bilaterally. For the NSCLBP group, the mean hip extension was -4.28 bilaterally. This corresponds to a difference of means between groups of 10.88. There was no statistically significant differences (p>0.05) in hip IR, ER, or total rotation ROM between groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study indicate that a significant difference in hip extension exists in active subjects with NSCLBP compared to controls. It may be important to consider hip mobility restrictions and their potential impact on assessment of strength in NSLBP subjects. Future studies may be needed to investigate the relationship between measurements and intervention strategies.
  
  
  METHODS
  2b.
authors.affiliation: Western Institute of Neuromechanics Eugene, OR USA.
authors.forename: Sean M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Roach
authors.affiliation: Western Washington University, Department of Physical Education, Health and Recreation Bellingham, WA USA.
authors.forename: Jun G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: San Juan
authors.affiliation: Western Washington University, Department of Physical Education, Health and Recreation, Bellingham, WA USA.
authors.forename: Dave N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Suprak
authors.affiliation: Western Institute of Neuromechanics Eugene, OR USA.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lyda
authors.affiliation: University of Oregon, Department of Psychology, Eugene, OR USA.
authors.forename: Alexander J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Bies
authors.forename: Cooper R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Boydston
keywords: Hip extension; hip mobility; hip rotation; inclinometer; non‐specific low back pain