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Isometric strength of the hip abductors and external rotators in athletes with and without patellar tendinopathy

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Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to compare the isometric strength of hip abductors and external rotators in male athletes with and without patellar tendinopathy (PT), and to examine the correlation between hip strength, pain, and functional scores.

Methods

Sixty male athletes (30 with PT and 30 controls) were recruited from local volleyball and basketball teams. The isometric strength of the hip abductors and external rotators was quantified using a belt-stabilized handheld dynamometer. This study used the visual analog scale (VAS) and the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Patella (VISA-p) questionnaire to measure the intensity of pain and functional scores in athletes with PT, respectively.

Results

The normalized isometric strength of the hip abductors and external rotators was significantly less in the PT group compared with controls. In subjects with PT, the normalized isometric strength was decreased by 22.0% (p = 0.000) in the hip abductors and by 20.0% in the hip external rotators (p = 0.004), compared with controls. Significant correlations were found between the normalized isometric strength of the hip abductors and intensity of pain (r = − 0.70; p < 0.05) and VISA-p score (r = 0.63; p < 0.05) in the affected leg in athletes with unilateral PT.

Conclusions

Athletes with PT have decreased isometric strength in their hip abductors and external rotators when compared with controls. In subjects with unilateral PT, decreased isometric strength in the hip abductors is associated with greater intensity of pain and lower functional scores. Results of this study implied that hip muscle assessment and strengthening should be included for reconditioning and rehabilitation in athletes with PT.

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Abbreviations

PT:

Patellar tendinopathy

VAS:

Visual analog scale

VISA-p:

Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-patella

MANCOVA:

Multivariate analysis of covariance

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the Dr. and Mrs. Lui Che Woo Special Centre for the Knee. There is no conflict of interest related to this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Luoyang Orthopedic Hospital of Henan Province, Orthopaedic Hospital of Henan Province, Luoyang, China

    Z. J. Zhang

  2. Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong

    Z. J. Zhang, W. C. Lee, G. Y. F. Ng & S. N. Fu

Authors
  1. Z. J. Zhang
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  2. W. C. Lee
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  3. G. Y. F. Ng
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  4. S. N. Fu
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Contributions

This manuscript is original and has not been previously published, nor is it being considered elsewhere until a decision is made as to its acceptability by the European Journal of Applied Physiology Editorial Review Board. The project was approved by the ethics committee of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. All authors contributed to the paper. Dr Zhang contributed to idea generation, data collection, data analysis, and preparation of manuscript. Dr Fu contributed to idea generation, data analysis, and preparation of the manuscript. Dr Lee was involved in data collection. Prof. Ng contributed to manuscript preparation.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to S. N. Fu.

Additional information

Communicated by Bénédicte Schepens.

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Zhang, Z.J., Lee, W.C., Ng, G.Y.F. et al. Isometric strength of the hip abductors and external rotators in athletes with and without patellar tendinopathy. Eur J Appl Physiol 118, 1635–1640 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-018-3896-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-018-3896-x

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