The association between hip dysfunction and lower limb injuries in long-distance runners: a systematic review
Date
2018
Authors
Tau Monica
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Abstract
Background
Running is an inexpensive popular sport with growing participation worldwide. Running is
generally associated with improved overall health but it also yields a significant risk of sustaining
running-related musculoskeletal injuries. The association between hip dysfunction and lower limb
injuries sustained in long-distance runners is not clear; therefore, a systematic review to clarify
this association was needed. The objective of this review was to assess the association between
hip dysfunction and lower limb injuries in long-distance runners.
Method
Studies that included participants who were 18 years of age and older, long-distance runners, and
injury-free at the time of the study, were included in this systematic review. Runners had to have
participated at all levels of performance and be followed up for a period of one month or more.
Studies that investigated hip dysfunction as an independent variable were included.
Hip dysfunction entails poor hip muscle strength, poor hip control, excessive or limited range of
motion, mal-alignment of the hip, and poor hip-running mechanics, but is not limited to the above-mentioned.
Lower limb injuries, which include any non-contact injuries of the lower limb, were
considered to be the independent variable in this study. Such injuries need to have been
evaluated by healthcare providers. However, lower limb injuries that were reported by the
participants in this research project were also included in the study. Furthermore, only prospective
and retrospective longitudinal cohort studies were included in this systematic review.
A search strategy using the keywords "running", "hip", and "lower limb injury" was undertaken.
The following databases were searched from inception to June 2017: MEDLINE via PubMed,
Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), ProQuest Health, EBSCO
MasterFile Premier, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro ), Science Direct, PROSPERO,
SCOPUS and SPORTDiscus, all with full text. Unpublished studies were searched on EBSCO
MasterFile Premier Prospective, and observational, longitudinal cohort studies were included in
the systematic review. The methodological quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs
Institute's Critical Appraisal Checklist for Comparable Cohort/Case-Control Studies. A
standardized data extraction tool from the Joanna Briggs Institute MAStARI was also used to
extract data from the included studies.
Results
Eight studies were included in the systematic review. Seven studies were prospective cohort studies
and one study was a retrospective cohort study. One study was a dissertation and the remaining
seven studies were peer-reviewed articles. No meta-analysis of findings could be performed on
account of the heterogeneity of the studies. As such, the findings were analyzed in narrative form.
The main hip dysfunction factor studied in long-distance runners was found to be the hip adduction
angle and the hip abduction moment. The hip adduction angle in female long-distance runners
was considered to be a risk factor for developing patellofemoral pain (p=0.007) and iliotibial band
syndrome (p=0.0 1 ). The active straight leg raise test is one of the tests of the Functional Movement
screen test that was found to be predictive of running-related injuries in males (p=0.01). Moreover,
it was noted that the composite score of the Functional Movement screen test is not predictive of
running-related injuries (p=0.10).
Conclusion
There were methodological differences between the studies, mainly in terms of defining and
measuring running-related injuries. It was found that an increased hip adduction angle in female
runners is associated with patellofemoral pain and iliotibial band syndrome. Functional tests such
as the active straight leg raise test may possibly be used to screen male athletes for running-related
injuries.
Description
A research report submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the
Witwatersrand, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science
in Physiotherapy