Do novice runners have weak hips and bad running form?

TitleDo novice runners have weak hips and bad running form?
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2014
AuthorsSchmitz A, Russo K, Edwards L, Noehren B
JournalGait Posture
Volume40
Issue1
Pagination82-6
Date Published2014
ISSN1879-2219
KeywordsAdult, Biomechanical Phenomena, Female, Hip, Humans, Muscle Strength, Physical Fitness, Posture, Resistance Training, Rotation, Running, Torso, Weight-Bearing, Young Adult
Abstract

First, we sought to better understand the predisposition of novice female runners to injury by identifying potential differences in running mechanics and strength between experienced female runners and active novice runners. Secondly, we aimed to assess the relationship between hip and trunk strength with non-sagittal hip kinematics during running. Two female populations were recruited: 19 healthy experienced runners and 19 healthy active novice runners. Strength measurements of the hip abductors and external rotators were measured using a hand held dynamometer while trunk endurance was assessed via a side-plank. Next, an instrumented gait analysis was performed while each participant ran at 3.3m/s. Group comparisons were made using an independent t-test to identify differences in the impact peak, loading rate, peak non-sagittal hip joint angles, trunk endurance, and hip strength. Pearson's correlation coefficients were calculated between hip kinematics and strength measurements. There were no statistically significant differences in impact peak, loading rate, peak non-sagittal hip kinematics, or strength. However, the novice runners did show a clinically meaningful trend toward increased peak hip internal rotation by 3.8° (effect size 0.520). A decrease in trunk side-plank endurance was associated with an increased peak hip internal rotation angle (r=-0.357, p=0.03), whereas isometric strength was not related to kinematics. Programs aiming to prevent injuries in novice runners should target trunk performance and possibly hip neuromuscular control, rather than hip strength.

DOI10.1016/j.gaitpost.2014.02.014
Alternate JournalGait Posture
PubMed ID24656715
PubMed Central IDPMC4258689
Grant ListK23 AR062069 / AR / NIAMS NIH HHS / United States
K23AR062069 / AR / NIAMS NIH HHS / United States