Muscle strength and activation patterns during static and dynamic single-leg support tasks in women with greater trochanteric pain syndrome

Abstract

Introduction

The Greater trochanter pain syndrome (GTPS) is characterized by functional and biomechanical changes. This study aimed to compare hip strength and hip and trunk activation during single-leg support in women with GTPS and controls, exploring their correlation.

Methods

36 females were divided into two groups: the GTPS group (n = 18) and the control group (n = 18). A portable dynamometer was used to assess the isometric strength hip muscles, whereas surface electromyography was used to measure muscle activation in the hip and trunk muscles during static and dynamic single-leg support. The data were analyzed using the Student's t-test, Mann–Whitney U test, and Spearman correlation coefficient. The effect size was determined.

Results

The GTPS group has lower strength in all hip muscles (p ≤ 0.001). In static single-leg support, GTPS group showed greater activation of the rectus abdominis (p ≤ 0.01, ES = 0.48) and gluteus maximus (p ≤ 0.01, ES = 0.45). In dynamic single-leg support, women with GTPS had high activation of the rectus abdominis (p = 0.01, ES = 0.42), gluteus maximus (p ≤ 0.01, ES = 0.49), and trunk extensors (p = 0.01, ES = 0.39). Discussion: The findings show that women with GTPS had higher pain, lower muscle strength, and changes in muscle activation.

Conclusion

Women with GTPS demonstrated decreased muscle strength and increased muscle activation. Evaluation of all hip muscles, along with interventions focused on improving strength across these groups, could enhance pelvic control and minimizing discrepancies in muscle activation.