Isometric hip strength does not directly influence injury in collegiate cross-country runners: a prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE

The role of hip strength in the development of running related injuries is unclear. The aim of this study was to assess if runners who develop a running-related injury demonstrate less isometric hip strength than uninjured runners and to evaluate if runners demonstrating isometric hip weakness go on to experience more injuries than those with normal strength.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING

University Campus.

PARTICIPANTS

Seventy-nine (29 male and 50 female) collegiate cross-country runners.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Running-related injury.

RESULTS

Runners who sustained an injury demonstrated 13.6 % (p = 0.035) less hip abductor strength and demonstrated 16.6 % (p = 0.035) greater asymmetry in hip abductor strength. Runners identified as having a weakness in hip strength did not demonstrate a greater proportion of injuries than runners noted to have normal strength. The relative risk of sustaining a running-related injury was not greater in runners identified as having hip weakness.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite a theoretical link between hip weakness and the development of running-related injury, no difference in injury proportions was found in this cohort. However, differences in hip strength were identified between injured and uninjured runners. This may indicate that hip strength may mediate other factors that influence a runner's overall risk profile.