Relationship between iliotibial band syndrome and hip neuromechanics in women runners

Background Atypical frontal plane hip kinematics are associated with iliotibial band syndrome in women runners. Gluteus medius is the primary muscle controlling the hip adduction angle during the loading response of stance. It is unclear if differences exist in gluteus medius activity magnitude and activity duration between runners with previous iliotibial band syndrome and controls. Furthermore, hip neuromechanics may change after a prolonged run. Research Question Do differences exist in the hip adduction angle and gluteus medius activity between women with previous iliotibial band syndrome and controls at the beginning and end of a 30-minute moderate paced treadmill run? Methods Thirty women participated (n = 15 controls). Lower extremity kinematics and gluteus medius activity were recorded at the start and end of a 30-minute treadmill run at participants’ self-selected pace. Hip kinematics and gluteus medius activity were analyzed via separate two-way (group x time) mixed-model analysis of variance with time as the repeated measure. Results Hip neuromechanics were similar at the start and end of a 30-minute treadmill run in women with previous iliotibial band syndrome and controls. However, hip adduction excursion was less in women with previous iliotibial band syndrome compared to controls. Average gluteus medius activity magnitude and activity duration were not significantly different between groups. Significance These findings support the growing body of literature that smaller hip adduction motion is related to previous iliotibial band syndrome in women. Regardless of injury history, gluteus medius activity was similar between groups during the loading phase of stance