Effects of hip and trunk muscle strengthening on hip function and lower limb kinematics during step-down task.

Background: Strengthening of the hip and trunk muscles has the potential to change lower limb kinematic patterns, such as excessive hip medial rotation and adduction during weight-bearing tasks. This study aimed to investigate the effect of hip and trunk muscles strengthening on hip muscle performance, hip passive properties, and lower limb kinematics during step-down task in women.

Methods: Thirty-four young women who demonstrated dynamic knee valgus during step-down were divided into two groups.

Characterization of hip passive stiffness of volleyball, basketball and futsal young athletes.

Objectives: (1) To establish the reference values of the test of 'Position of hip passive resistance against gravity' (PHPR) in young athletes; (2) To investigate differences between the values of PHPR test according to athlete's sex, age and sport practiced.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Setting: Sports club.

Myofascial force transmission between the latissimus dorsi and gluteus maximus muscles: an in vivo experiment.

There are extensive connections between the latissimus dorsi (LD) and gluteus maximus (GMax) muscles and the thoracolumbar fascia (TLF), which suggests a possible pathway for myofascial force transmission. The present study was designed to provide empirical evidence of myofascial force transmission from LD to contralateral GMax through TFL in vivo. To accomplish this goal, we evaluated whether active or passive tensioning of the LD results in increased passive tension of the contralateral GMax, indexed by changes in the hip resting position (RP) or passive stiffness.

Validity and reliability of clinical tests for assessing hip passive stiffness.

Inadequate levels of hip passive joint stiffness have been associated with the occurrence of movement dysfunction, development of pathologies and reduction in performance. Clinical tests, designed to evaluate hip joint stiffness, may allow the identification of improper stiffness levels. The purpose of this study was to determine the concurrent validity as well as the intra- and inter-examiners reliabilities of clinical measures used to assess hip passive stiffness during internal rotation.