1. The Relationship Between Dynamometry Testing of the Hip Abductors and Adductors and Functional Hip Joint Tests in Elite Male Gaelic Footballers Sinéad O’Keeffe1, Siobhán O’Connor2, Niamh Ní Chéilleachair1, Davide Susta2 1Department of Sport and Health Science, Athlone Institute of Technology, Athlone, Co. Westmeath 2School of Health and Human Performance, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9
Introduction
Injury to the hip and groin region is responsible for 3% to 9% of all injuries in Gaelic football1-3. Open kinetic chain activities are used as a reliable measure of strength in athletic populations4. However, closed kinetic chain measures are more appropriate for measuring sports-specific movements. There are a lack of reliable functional tests which adequately determine hip and groin strength. The purpose of this study was to examine functional hip joint tests and determine their ability to measure strength of the hip abductor and adductor muscles.
Aims
Methods
Twenty-three elite male Gaelic football players (age=21.3±1.43years) underwent abduction and adduction strength measures using handheld dynamometry and functional performance testing; lateral rebound hop with arms (LRH), lateral rebound hop with hands on iliac crests (LRHH) and triple hop for distance (THD) (Figures 1-4). Data was analysed using SPSS software version 22.0.
Warm Up
5 Minutes on a Stationary Bike
Dynamometry Testing
Hip Abduction
Hip Adduction
Rest Period
15 minute duration
Functional Testing
Lateral Rebound Hop (LRH and LRHH)
Triple Hop for Distance
Figure 1. THD Protocol.
Figure 2. LRH and LRHH Protocol.
Figure 3. Hip abduction and hip adduction testing protocol.
Figure 4. Testing Protocol.
Results
Test-retest and inter-tester reliability of LRH and LRHH were measured in a pilot study on 25 male collegiate Gaelic football players (age=22±3years). LRH and LRHH tests were found to be test-retest reliable (ICCs; 0.81 to 0.91 and SEM; 4.73 to 8.8) and inter-tester reliable (ICCs; 0.89 to 0.95 and SEM; 3.31 to 6.39).
Significant moderately strong correlations were found between LRH and LRHH (r= 0.64 to 0.67) and between LRH, LRHH and THD (r= 0.61 to 0.74). Leg dominance had no significant effect on functional performance tests or muscle strength measures (p≤0.01)
Significant negative correlations were found between hip strength and functional tests however correlations were slight to low (r= to -0.55).
Conclusion
LRH and LRHH are reliable functional tests for the lower extremity. However, they are not valid predictors of hip abduction and adduction strength. LRH, LRHH and THD are strongly related indicating they assess similar components of hop performance. The aspect of performance that is being assessed is likely to be knee extensor strength due the lack of correlation with abduction and adduction strength measures and the fact that previous research showed the THD was a measure of knee extensor strength5. Leg dominance had no significant effect on performance, indicating the ability of comparing the dominant and non-dominant limbs when performing these tests.
References
1. O'Connor, S., McCaffrey, N., Whyte, E.F. and Moran, K.A. (2015). Epidemiology of injury in male adolescent Gaelic games. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport.
2. Murphy, J.C., O’Malley, E., Gissane, C. and Blake, C. (2012). Incidence of injury in Gaelic football. A 4-year prospective study. American Journal of Sports Medicine. 40(9), pp
3. Wilson, F., Caffrey, S., King, E., Casey, K. and Gissane, C. (2007). A 6-month prospective study of injury in Gaelic football. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 41(5), pp
4. Thorborg, K., Bandholm, T. and Holmich, P. (2013). Hip- and knee-strength assessments using a hand-held dynamometer with external belt-fixation are inter-tester reliable. Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology Arthroscopy. 21(3), pp.550–555.
5. Petschnig, R., Baron, R. and Albrecht, M. (1998). The Relationship Between Isokinetic Quadriceps Strength Test and Hop Tests for Distance and One-Legged Vertical Jump Test Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy. 28(1), pp