Normative Measures of Hip Strength and Relation to Previous Injury in Collegiate Cross-Country Runners

Abstract

Context: Running-related injury occurs frequently in collegiate cross-country runners. Hip strength is one factor that may be important in the rehabilitation and training of cross-country runners. However, no normative values exist to inform these strategies. Objective: To establish normative values for hip-abduction and external-rotation isometric strength in collegiate cross-country runners and explore the association between strength and previous injury. Design: Mixed methods using descriptive epidemiology and retrospective cross-sectional designs. Setting: University laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: Eighty-two National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III cross-country runners (38 males, 44 females). Main Outcome Measure(s): Isometric hip strength and reported injury. Results: Males demonstrated greater absolute hip strength than females. Measures of hip strength were not different between sexes when normalized to height and mass. Hip-abduction asymmetry was associated with a previous injury in males. A combination of at least 1 leg with hip-abduction weakness and bilateral external-rotation weakness was associated with a previous injury in females. Conclusions: Knowledge of normative values of hip strength may help inform rehabilitation strategies in collegiate cross-country runners. Males and females may demonstrate different strength profiles after running-related injury.