‘Does Hip Strength influence Valgus Knee Deviation during Landing?’

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to examine the correlation between hip abduction strength, hip external rotation strength and the occurrence of knee valgus in female netball players. It also aimed to test if an intervention lasting for six-weeks would correct the mechanical fault that occurred amongst the participants. METHODOLOGY: Eleven participants were recruited from the Netball Sixths team at Cardiff Metropolitan University. All participants confirmed that they had no previous injury at the lower limb over the past 12 months and informed consent was gained from all participants. The initial testing consisted of collecting strength measurement at the hip, using hand-held dynamometry prior to the six-week intervention. The second phase required the participants to perform a single-legged landing task on their dominant leg. A strength programme was provided to participants under supervision over the duration of six weeks. Post-intervention testing consisted of the athletes following the same procedures as indicated for the pre-intervention testing. DATA ANALYSIS: A Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient test was run to check for the correlation between hip muscle strength and knee valgus. A Paired Samples T-Test was then used to examine if a difference was present in hip strength and knee valgus, in comparison to values provided pre-intervention. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that no significant correlation was present as the values were r >0.5, for both before and after the intervention. Significant differences were observed between hip muscle strength and knee valgus angles (p >0.05) after the strength programme was implemented. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that hip muscle strength had no significant correlation with valgus deviation at the knee. This means that hip muscle strength had a very weak relationship with the demonstration of knee valgus. It was also found that hip abduction strength had stronger correlation with medial knee deviation and may be used as a better predictor when examining the relationship between strength and knee valgus. Significant differences were observed post-intervention, between hip abduction strength, hip external rotator strength and valgus knee deviation, when compared to the measurements observed pre-intervention. This displays that the strengthening programme had a positive effective on the variables examined.