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Isolated hip strengthening, functional motor control exercises reduce valgus, internal rotation
Participation in 5 weeks of an isolated hip abductor strengthening program or functional motor control exercises resulted in non-statistically significant changes in knee kinematics; however, clinically meaningful reductions in dynamic knee valgus and internal rotation were observed, according to results from a prospective, randomized study.
Researchers evaluated 29 asymptomatic volunteers using a repeated-measures study design to determine any change in knee valgus greater than 3°. For 5 weeks, the volunteers completed either isolated hip abductor strengthening exercises or functional motor control (FMC) exercises.
Both exercises were performed in shorts and in bare feet to prevent potential variations. Single-leg squats and single-leg landing were used to measure dynamic knee valgus and internal rotation (DKVIR) with two inertial sensors. Using maximal force production, hip abduction strength was measured with a load cell.
Results demonstrated neither group experienced any significant differences in knee valgus or rotation across time for either the single-leg squat or the single-leg landing, nor were any significant differences observed in knee angles between the groups. However, the researchers observed an actual magnitude of reduction in valgus of 10° for the FMC group and 5° for the hip strengthening group, as well as an actual magnitude of reduction in internal rotation of 9° for the FMC group and 18° for the hip strengthening group. This observation indicated a tendency toward clinically significant knee kinematic improvements in both groups, according to the researchers.
Hip abductor strength statistically significantly improved in both the FMC group and the hip abductor strengthening group; however, the improvements were not significantly different between the groups, according to the researchers. – by Monica Jaramillo
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.