ASSESSMENT OF IMPACT OF ACTIVATION OF HIP JOINT ABDUCTORS AND EXTERNAL ROTATORS ON GAIT AND RUNNNING PARAMETERS IN HEALTHY PEOPLE - PILOT STUDY

Abstract

Many physiotherapists and motor preparation coaches recommend including resistance exercises for the hip joint abductors and external rotators in a warm-up. Muscle activation with resistance band exercises is believed to improve positional control of the pelvis and the lower limbs, thus reducing the risk of musculoskeletal injury during rehabilitation or training proper. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of a single session of activation of hip joint abductors and external rotators on gait and running parameters in healthy people. The study involved 54 healthy individuals aged 19-21 years. An experimental group (Group 1) performed a set of 6 resistance exercises with Thera rubber bands, intended to activate the hip joint abductors and external rotators. A control group (Group 2) performed the same set of exercises but without external resistance. A walking and running gait examination was performed on a Zebris FDM treadmill in both groups before and after the exercises. Both variants of exercises produced changes in selected gait parameters (p<0.05). An examination of running gait in Group 1 revealed an increase in step length in the dominant limb (p<0.05) and stride length (p<0.05) and step time in the dominant limb (p<0.05), stride length (p<0.05) and cadence (p<0.05). Heel pressure also decreased in both limbs, and heel pressure force decreased in the non-dominant limb (p<0.05). A running gait examination in Group 2 revealed increased midfoot pressure force in both limbs (p<0.05). Thus, a single session of exercises with resistance banding to activate the hip joint abductors and external rotators exerted an effect on running parameters, which may improve running economy.