Pelvic and hip kinematics during single-leg drop-landing are altered in sports participants with long-standing groin pain: A cross-sectional study

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to determine the differences in three-dimensional pelvic and hip kinematics during a single-leg drop-landing task in active sports participants with long-standing groin pain compared to healthy matched controls.DesignThis was a descriptive study incorporating a cross-sectional design.SettingThe study was conducted at the Unit for Human Movement Analysis, Stellenbosch University, South Africa.ParticipantsThe study sample was comprised of 20 male club level soccer, rugby, running and cycling participants between the ages of 18 and 55 years. Ten cases with long-standing groin pain and ten asymptomatic matched controls participated.Main outcome measuresThree-dimensional pelvic and hip kinematics were captured with an optical motion capture system during a single-leg drop-landing task.ResultsParticipants with groin pain landed with more downward lateral pelvic tilt (0.77°, p = 0.01, r = 0.35), hip abduction (2.05°, p < 0.001. r = 0.49), and hip external rotation (0.86°, p = 0.03, r = 0.29) at initial contact and more pelvic internal rotation (1.06°, p = 0.02, r = 0.30) at lowest vertical position than the healthy controls.ConclusionsSports participants with long-standing groin pain have altered pelvic and hip kinematics during single-leg drop-landing compared to healthy controls. The kinematic differences may contribute towards the persistent nature of groin pain, although these strategies may also be present as a result of the presence or the expectation of pain.