Do hip strength, flexibility and running biomechanics predict dynamic valgus in female recreational runners?

Backgound: Dynamic valgus has been the focus of many studies to identify its association to an increased risk of running-related injuries. However, it is not known which physical and biomechanical variables are associated with this movement dysfunction.

Research Question: This study aimed to test the correlation between strength, flexibility and biomechanical variables and dynamic valgus in female runners.

Methods: Twenty-nine healthy females ran on a treadmill at 2.92 m/s and performed strength, range of motion and endurance tests. Pelvic, hip and ankle kinematics were measured with a 3D motion analysis system. Six multiple linear regression models were used to identify the ability of physical and biomechanical variables to predict excursion and peak of contralateral pelvic drop, hip adduction and internal rotation.

Results: Contralateral pelvic drop and hip adduction were positively correlated to ankle eversion and step cadence. Hip internal rotation had a negative correlation with ankle eversion. Despite significance, predictor variables explained less than 30% of dynamic valgus variance during running. No interest variable had significant correlation with the hip strength and hip and ankle passive range of motion.

Significance: The results showed that distal joint kinematics and spatiotemporal variables should be considered during biomechanical running analysis to identify their possible relationship with joint overload caused by dynamic valgus. Caution should be taken when linking hip disorders during running to posterolateral hip strength and stiffness, core endurance, and ankle dorsiflexion range of motion since no correlation occurred amongstthese variables in this sample of female runners.