Hip-related symptom duration is associated with alterations in hip mechanics during a single leg squat

Individuals with hip joint-related pain (HRP) exhibit altered movement patterns compared to asymptomatic controls and high kinesiophobia. Potential differences in kinesiophobia, movement, and hip pain during movement between individuals with shorter- and longer-term HRP are not well understood. The purpose of this study was to analyze whether self-reported hip pain during a single leg squat task, kinesiophobia, and total support moment parameters during the eccentric and concentric phases of a single leg squat task differ based on hip symptom duration in individuals with HRP.

Involved limb hip, knee, and ankle sagittal plane moments during the single leg squat were obtained for 25 individuals with HRP. Participants completed the TSK-11 and reported hip pain during the squat. The total support moment was calculated by summing the average hip extensor, knee extensor and ankle plantarflexor moments during the squat. Between-group differences in TSK-11 scores, hip pain and total support moment parameters were assessed using independent t-tests and Mann-Whitney U tests.

The longer symptom duration group exhibited lower average hip extensor moments and lower hip joint contributions to the total support moment during both phases of the squat. Despite similar levels of kinesiophobia, the longer symptom duration group reported significantly higher hip pain during the squat.

Alterations in lower-limb mechanics observed in the longer symptom duration group may be associated with more severe hip-related pain as opposed to higher kinesiophobia. Further study is required to determine the association between kinesiophobia and movement patterns in individuals with HRP.