The relationship between hip muscular endurance, strength, and frontal plane hip kinematics during running

Abnormal gait biomechanics, specifically excessive hip adduction and contralateral pelvic drop, have been implicated as a potential cause of overuse injuries in female runners. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether endurance or strength of the hip abductor musculature had a stronger relationship with hip and pelvis kinematics during running. Eighteen healthy female runners between the ages of 18-29 participated. Isometric hip abductor strength was measured using a handheld dynamometer. Hip abductor endurance was evaluated during a timed isotonic exercise test. Kinematic data were collected using 3-dimensional motion capture. Pearson correlations were performed between variables. No significant relationships were observed for either hip abductor endurance or strength with frontal plane hip and pelvis kinematic variables. In conclusion, greater hip adduction and pelvis drop during running cannot be explained by lower endurance or strength of the hip abductors.