The relationship between lower extremity injury, low back pain, and hip muscle strength in male and female collegiate athletes

Objective: To determine the relationship of previous lower extremity (LE) i njury and/or low back pain (LBP) on hip abduction and extension strength. Design: Cohort study of college athletes at time of preparticipation screen ing physical. Setting: An NCAA Division I college. Participants: Two hundred ten college athletes (140 males and 70 females) f rom an NCAA Division I school. Main Outcome Measures: Mean and maximal hip abduction and extension strengt hs were recorded using a specially designed dynamometer anchoring station. Previous injury to the LE or LBP in the past year was recorded via personal interview at the time of screening and verified by review of previous inju ry records. Results: A significant difference in side-to-side symmetry of maximum hip e xtension strength was observed in female subjects who reported LE injury or LBP as compared to those who did not. Side-to-side difference in hip stren gth. however, did not differ between male athletes, regardless of reported LE injury or LBP status. Conclusion: Female athletes appear to have a differing response of the prox imal hip musculature to LE injury or LBP, as compared with their male count erparts. Research is under way to further validate these findings.