Hip and Groin Symptoms in Collegiate Male Ice Hockey Players Over One Season: A Prospective Study.

Abstract

Context: Male ice hockey players face a high risk of hip and groin symptoms. It is not known how symptoms change over the course of a single season. The purpose of this study was to determine the change in hip and groin symptoms over the course of a season in male ice hockey players and to identify the relationship between a brief preseason physical screen for future hip and groin symptoms.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Methods: Members of 2 collegiate male ice hockey clubs (n = 51, 19.47 [1.30] y) underwent preseason physical screens of hip strength and range of motion. They also completed the Quality of Life (QoL) and Sport subscales of the Hip and Groin Outcome Score (HAGOS) preseason and postseason. Paired samples t tests were conducted to determine the change in subscale scores from preseason to postseason. Linear regression models were conducted to identify the relationship between symptoms and the results of the preseason screens.

Results: There was a decline in the HAGOS QoL (-3.6; 95% CI, 0.8-6.3; P = .01) and the HAGOS Sport (-4.1; 95% CI, 0.1-8.3; P = .05) over the course of the competitive season. Lower preseason scores were associated with having lower postseason QoL (β = 0.74; 95% CI, 0.43-1.04; P < .01) and Sport (β = 0.58; 95% CI, 0.26-0.89; P < .01) subscale scores. Preseason screens were not significantly associated with end-of-season HAGOS Sport (R2 = .05, P = .25) or QoL (R2 = .09, P = .09) scores.

Conclusions: Hip and groin symptoms worsened over the course of a competitive season in male ice hockey players without preventative measures in place. Preseason physical screens of hip strength and range of motion were not associated with future disability. Hip and groin symptoms are not self-limiting and are likely to worsen over the course of a single season in male ice hockey players.