Fatigue-Induced Hip-Abductor Weakness and Changes in Biomechanical Risk Factors for Running-Related Injuries

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Sports Medicine
• Human Movement Science

Background:

• Hip-abductor (HABD) weakness is linked to running injuries, but its interaction with fatigue-induced biomechanical changes is not well understood.
• Understanding this relationship is crucial for developing effective injury prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of a fatiguing run on HABD torque.
• To analyze the correlation between HABD torque and running pathomechanics in both rested and fatigued states.

Main Methods:

• A crossover study design was employed with 38 healthy male participants.
• HABD torque was measured using handheld dynamometry, and running biomechanics were assessed via kinematic and kinetic analysis.
• A fatiguing treadmill run protocol was used to induce fatigue before repeat measurements.

Main Results:

• Fatigue led to decreased HABD torque and increased hip-adduction angle, knee-adduction velocity, and hip/knee internal-rotation velocities and moments.
• In rested and fatigued states, HABD torque showed significant correlations with hip-adduction velocity, hip internal-rotation velocity, and knee-adduction angle and velocity.

Conclusions:

• Fatigue-induced changes in joint velocities and their correlation with HABD torque emphasize the need to assess not just HABD strength but also the rate of eccentric control.
• These findings suggest that impaired eccentric control of hip-abductor muscles may contribute to running-related injuries.