The association between hip rotation range of motion and non-specific low back pain in distance runners from a running club in Central Gauteng

• Main Author: Taljaard, Tracy Leigh
• Format: Others
• Language: en
• Published: 2011
• Subjects: Low Back Pain
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10539/10690

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.