Hip Range of Motion: Which Plane of Motion Is More Predictive of Lower Extremity Injury in Elite Soccer Players? A Prospective Study.

The objective of this study was to determine which plane of hip motion (rotational or sagittal) is more predictive of lower extremity (LE) injury in elite soccer players. A total of 69 athletes (43 professional and 26 collegiate) were examined (mean age, 22.6 years). Bilateral hip internal rotation (IR), external rotation, extension, and flexion measurements were taken along with the modified Thomas test during preseason physicals. There were 42 LE injuries (injury rate 3.74/1000 athlete exposures). Mean IR was 25.2. and 29.9° for injured versus noninjured extremities, respectively (p = .009). There was a significant association between decreased IR (categorized as IR < 28°) and incidence of ipsilateral LE injury (p = .042). Extremities with IR < 28° were 2.81 times more likely to sustain a LE injury (95% CI, 1.15.6.84; p = .023). With a utilitarian focus, the current study has identified a measurement of decreased hip IR with potential for substantial clinical value in collegiate and professional soccer players. (Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances 28(3):201-208, 2019).