Gender differences in hip adduction motion and torque during a single-leg agility maneuver

The purpose of this study was to identify gender differences in hip motion and kinetics during a single leg bidirectional deceleration maneuver. The rationale for the development of this maneuver was to test dynamic hip control during the deceleration of three different types of single-leg landings. The hypothesis was that female athletes would display increased hip adduction angles and moments during the maneuver compared to male athletes. Thirty-six collegiate soccer players (19 female, 17 male) volunteered to participate. Subjects were instructed to start the maneuver balancing on one foot, to hop through an agility-speed ladder on the same leg "up two boxes, back one, and then up one and hold it." Hip kinematics and kinetics during all three landings were examined. Females demonstrated significantly greater hip adduction angles at initial contact during all three landings and greater maximal hip adduction during landings 1 and 2 compared to male athletes. Females also exhibited significantly increased external hip adduction moments during landing 1, however, no differences were found between genders during landings 2 and 3.