The relationship between lateral pelvic tilt and lower extremity injury in the long distance runner
Nicholas Alford, SPT; Yasmine Zaman, SPT; William Kuklinski, SPT; Emily Volker, SPT; Kathleen Kujawa, SPT
Faculty Mentors: Janice Loudon, PT, PhD, SCS, ATC, CSCS; Marcie Swift, PT, PhD, FAAOMPT
Institution(s): Rockhurst University, Kansas City, MO
Purpose/Hypothesis: Lower extremity overuse injuries are common in long distance runners. Multiple factors contribute to these injuries including lower extremity pathomechanics and the literature is filled with research in this area. However, lacking is the relationship between pelvic motion and running injuries. Therefore, the purpose of this research project was to identify the relationship between lateral pelvic tilt and lower extremity injury in the long distance runner.
Subjects: This pilot project included 20 runners between the ages of 18 and 55 years with and without a history of lower extremity injury. Participants had to be English speaking and on average run at least 10 miles/ week over the past three months. Exclusion criteria included runners with a current lower extremity injury, history of relevant lower extremity surgery or currently pregnant.
Methods/ Materials: Demographic data including age, sex, height, weight were collected from all participants. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated using height and weight. Prior to data collection, colored circular stickers were placed on the participants’ posterior superior iliac spines. Next, runners proceeded to the testing protocol that consisted of 1. a three minute walk at a self-selected speed; 2. five and a half minutes of running at their self-selected speeds, and 3. an optional cool down on a Woodway treadmill. Video was recorded from a posterior view at the 8 minute mark of the exercise and lasted for 30 seconds using a camcorder. Lateral pelvic tilt excursion during stance was calculated on the right and left side for each runner using DartFish software. Two groups were developed based on injury history. Mean pelvic drop for the injured side for the Injured Group and a randomly designated side of the Healthy Group were statistically compared using Independent t-tests. Alpha level was set at p < 0.05.
Results:
Absolute pelvic-drop was not statistically different between groups (p = 0.23). Mean pelvic-drop difference was not statistically different between groups (p = 0.27). Weekly running miles were significantly higher in the Healthy Group (16.8 miles) compared to the Injured group (10 miles)(p = 0.03).
Conclusions: In this study, pelvic drop was not directly related to lower extremity injury. Looking at lateral pelvic tilt in isolation may not be enough to determine if this impairment contributes to running injuries.
Key Words: pelvic kinematics, overuse Injury, running related leg pain
Funding Source: Not applicable
Purpose/Hypothesis: Lower extremity overuse injuries are common in long distance runners. Multiple factors contribute to these injuries including lower extremity pathomechanics and the literature is filled with research in this area. However, lacking is the relationship between pelvic motion and running injuries. Therefore, the purpose of this research project was to identify the relationship between lateral pelvic tilt and lower extremity injury in the long distance runner.
Subjects: This pilot project included 20 runners between the ages of 18 and 55 years with and without a history of lower extremity injury. Participants had to be English speaking and on average run at least 10 miles/ week over the past three months. Exclusion criteria included runners with a current lower extremity injury, history of relevant lower extremity surgery or currently pregnant.
Methods/ Materials: Demographic data including age, sex, height, weight were collected from all participants. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated using height and weight. Prior to data collection, colored circular stickers were placed on the participants’ posterior superior iliac spines. Next, runners proceeded to the testing protocol that consisted of 1. a three minute walk at a self-selected speed; 2. five and a half minutes of running at their self-selected speeds, and 3. an optional cool down on a Woodway treadmill. Video was recorded from a posterior view at the 8 minute mark of the exercise and lasted for 30 seconds using a camcorder. Lateral pelvic tilt excursion during stance was calculated on the right and left side for each runner using DartFish software. Two groups were developed based on injury history. Mean pelvic drop for the injured side for the Injured Group and a randomly designated side of the Healthy Group were statistically compared using Independent t-tests. Alpha level was set at p < 0.05.
Results:
Absolute pelvic-drop was not statistically different between groups (p = 0.23). Mean pelvic-drop difference was not statistically different between groups (p = 0.27). Weekly running miles were significantly higher in the Healthy Group (16.8 miles) compared to the Injured group (10 miles)(p = 0.03).
Conclusions: In this study, pelvic drop was not directly related to lower extremity injury. Looking at lateral pelvic tilt in isolation may not be enough to determine if this impairment contributes to running injuries.
Key Words: pelvic kinematics, overuse Injury, running related leg pain
Funding Source: Not applicable