Acute Effects of Ice Hockey on Hip Range of Motion, Strength, and Pelvic Tilt in Competitive Male Players.

Background: Ice hockey players are at high risk for hip and groin injury. Several risk factors have been identified or proposed, including lower hip rotation range of motion (ROM), lower hip adductor strength, lower ratio of hip adductor to abductor strength, and lower pelvic tilt angle. It is not known how these risk factors change acutely with ice hockey participation.

Hypothesis: Acute exposure to ice hockey will result in a reduction in ROM, strength, and pelvic tilt angle in competitive male players.

Study Design: Controlled cohort study.

Level Of Evidence: Level 3.

Methods: Risk factors for hip and groin injury, including isometric hip adductor strength at 0° of flexion, the ratio of hip adductor to abductor strength, total hip rotation passive ROM in supine, and the resting pelvic tilt angle, were assessed immediately before, immediately after, and 24 hours after an ice hockey exposure in 42 competitive male ice hockey players. Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was collected to identify the intensity of the exposure.

Results: There was a significant decrease in total hip rotation ROM (-7.32°, < 0.01 (-3.91, -10.70)) and hip adductor strength (-4.41 kg, < 0.01 (-2.81, -6.00) immediately after the exposure, and a significant decrease in total hip rotation ROM (-18.54°, < 0.01 (-14.35, -22.73)), hip adductor strength (-6.56 kg, < 0.01 (-4.58, -8.61)), and the ratio of hip adductor to abductor strength (-0.12, < 0.01 (-0.21, -0.45)) 24 hours after. There was no significant change in pelvic tilt found in this study immediately after or 24 hours after. There was a moderate relationship between changes in hip adductor strength and changes in the ratio of hip adductor to abductor strength ( = 0.433, < 0.01). RPE was not significantly correlated to any of the changes observed.

Conclusion: Risk factors for hip and groin injury in ice hockey players are modifiable after a single ice hockey exposure.

Clinical Relevance: The identified fluctuation of injury risk factors for hip and groin injury in ice hockey players has implications for injury risk profiling, rehabilitation, and return-to-competition decision-making.