ORIGINAL ARTICLE   

Gazzetta Medica Italiana - Archivio per le Scienze Mediche 2019 May;178(5):263-7

DOI: 10.23736/S0393-3660.18.03802-0

Copyright © 2018 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Hip range of motion increases after a 12-week rest period in elite Australian Rules Football players

Duncan WALKER ✉

Sports and Arthritis Clinic, Mile End, Adelaide, Australia

BACKGROUND: In athletes that undergo rapid deceleration and change of direction hip range of motion (ROM) reduction is common. Little is known about these ROM changes, but it was considered if there was a soft tissue component then these alterations may be dynamic.
METHODS: Players of a single professional Australian Rules Football (ARF) club had hip ROM measurement performed following a 12-week relative rest period that occurs after the playing season. This was compared to hip ROM measurements taken during and end of the preceding playing seasons. Subjects hip ROM were measured in the supine position with the testing hip and knee at 90° of flexion.
RESULTS: Following the relative rest period after the playing season there was a significant increase in hip ROM (total, internal rotation, external rotation, dominant and non-dominant legs P<0.05) compared to measurements taken during the previous playing season/s. This was seen when compared to both the most recent playing season, as well as the average hip ROM from the previous three playing seasons.
CONCLUSIONS: Hip ROM increases were demonstrated following a rest period from in-season playing demands. This demonstrates that in this group of ARF players that hip joint range of motion changes are dynamic and adaptive.

KEY WORDS: Hip - Range of motion, articular - Footbal