Physical Therapy in Sport
Volume 9, Issue 2 , Pages 72-81, May 2008

Hip rotation range of motion in people with and without low back pain who participate in rotation-related sports

  • Linda R. Van Dillen

      Affiliations

    • Program in Physical Therapy and Orthopedic Surgery, Washington University Medical School, Campus Box 8502, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +13142861427; fax: +13142861410.
    • ,
  • Nancy J. Bloom

      Affiliations

    • Program in Physical Therapy and Orthopedic Surgery, Washington University Medical School, Campus Box 8502, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
    • ,
  • Sara P. Gombatto

      Affiliations

    • Movement Science, Program in Physical Therapy, Washington University Medical School, Campus Box 8502, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
    • ,
  • Thomas M. Susco

      Affiliations

    • Purdue University Student Health Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA

Received 11 May 2007; received in revised form 18 January 2008; accepted 22 January 2008.

Abstract 

Objective

To examine whether passive hip rotation motion was different between people with and without low back pain (LBP) who regularly participate in sports that require repeated rotation of the trunk and hips. We hypothesized that people with LBP would have less total hip rotation motion and more asymmetry of motion between sides than people without LBP.

Design

Two group, case control.

Setting

University-based musculoskeletal analysis laboratory.

Participants

Forty-eight subjects (35 males, 13 females; mean age: 26.56±7.44 years) who reported regular participation in a rotation-related sport participated. Two groups were compared; people with LBP (N=24) and people without LBP (N=24; NoLBP).

Main outcome measures: Data were collected on participant-related, LBP-related, sport-related, and activity-related variables. Measures of passive hip rotation range of motion were obtained. The differences between the LBP and NoLBP groups were examined.

Results

People with and without a history of LBP were the same with regard to all participant-related, sport-related and activity-related variables. The LBP group had significantly less total rotation (P=.035) and more asymmetry of total rotation, right hip versus left hip (P=.022) than the NoLBP group. Left total hip rotation was more limited than right total hip rotation in the LBP group (P=.004). There were no significant differences in left and right total hip rotation for the NoLBP group (P=.323).

Conclusions

Among people who participate in rotation-related sports, those with LBP had less overall passive hip rotation motion and more asymmetry of rotation between sides than people without LBP. These findings suggest that the specific directional demands imposed on the hip and trunk during regularly performed activities may be an important consideration in deciding which impairments may be most relevant to test and to consider in prevention and intervention strategies.

Keywords: Low back pain, Hip mobility, Hip rotation, Sports, Athletic activity

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PII: S1466-853X(08)00027-8

doi:10.1016/j.ptsp.2008.01.002

Physical Therapy in Sport
Volume 9, Issue 2 , Pages 72-81, May 2008

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