| Summary: | Introduction
Various authors have proposed that there may be altered hip rotation range of
motion (ROM) in patients with low back pain (LBP). However, limited studies have
been conducted to investigate the association between hip rotation ROM and LBP
specifically in distance runners. The aim of this study was to determine whether
there is an association between hip rotation ROM and non-specific LBP in
distance runners.
Methods
A cross-sectional design was used to look at the relationship between hip rotation
ROM and LBP. Thirty five runners with LBP (24 males, 11 females) and 51
runners without LBP (29 males, 22 females) participated in the study. A
questionnaire was used to divide participants into LBP and no LBP groups and to
evaluate certain factors specific to LBP. Passive rotation ROM was measured in
prone position using a hand-held inclinometer.
Results
Results showed no statistically significant difference (p>0.05) in hip rotation ROM
between the two groups. Furthermore, no statistically significant difference
(p>0.05) was found for factors specific to running, between the two groups. Conclusion
Although no association was found between hip rotation ROM and LBP in distance
runners, further research is needed into other possible causative factors of LBP in
distance runners.
Keywords
Low back pain, hip biomechanics, hip mobility, hip rotation, sports and running
Operational definitions
Low back pain (LBP): pain and discomfort located below the costal margins
and above the gluteal folds, with or without associated leg pain (Van Tulder et
al 2006).
Non-specific LBP: pain not attributable to a clearly recognisable pathology
(Koes et al 2006).
Healthy distance runner: a runner who has had no LBP symptoms within
the last 6 months.
Time trial: an unofficial road running race in which participants are timed
individually over a set distance, in this case, 4km.
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