Objective:
To determine if females with hip abductor weakness are more likely to demonstrate greater knee abduction during the stance phase of running than a strong hip abductor group.
Study Design:
Observational prospective study design.
Setting:
University biomechanics laboratory.
Participants:
15 females with weak hip abductors and 15 females with strong hip abductors.
Main Outcome Measures:
Group differences in lower extremity kinematics were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA with one between factor of group and one within factor of position with a significance value of P < .05.
Results:
The subjects with weak hip abductors demonstrated greater knee abduction during the stance phase of treadmill running than the strong group (P < .05). No other significant differences were found in the sagittal or frontal plane measurements of the hip, knee, or pelvis.
Conclusions:
Hip abductor weakness may influence knee abduction during the stance phase of running.
