Hip Activation vs. Hip Activation + Core Stabilization

Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport34 enrolled

Overview

The purpose of this investigation is to compare the effects of a combined hip activation and core stabilization training home exercise program (HEP) versus a hip activation training HEP alone on lower extremity (LE) frontal plane mechanics in healthy individuals. Specific Aim 1: To determine whether between- and/or within-group differences exist on the Forward Step-Down test (FSDT) when comparing a combined hip activation and core stabilization training HEP as compared to a hip activation training HEP. Specific Aim 2: To determine whether between- and/or within-group differences exist on the peak external knee abduction moment when comparing a combined hip activation and core stabilization training HEP to a hip activation training HEP. Specific Aim 3: To determine whether between- and/or within-group differences exist on gluteal and core muscle surface electromyography (sEMG) when comparing a combined hip activation and core stabilization training HEP to a hip activation training HEP. Specific Aim 4: To determine whether a dose-response relationship exists between HEP compliance and change on the FSDT, peak external knee abduction moment, and sEMG.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Movement, Abnormal Lower Extremity Problem

Interventions

Hip activation home exercise programOTHER

The hip activation HEP group will receive a combination of hip musculature activation exercises used by previous researchers that show an increase in hip muscle recruitment. Each participant will perform their respective intervention program at home twice weekly for eight weeks.

Hip activation plus core stabilization home exercise programOTHER

The hip activation plus core stabilization HEP group will receive the same hip exercises, plus core stabilization exercises used by previous researchers. Each participant will perform their respective intervention program at home twice weekly for eight weeks.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 22 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Participants will be current first- or second-year Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students in the School of Allied Health Professions (SAHP) at Louisiana State University Health Shreveport over the age of 21. Exclusion Criteria: * Current pain or pathology in either LE which currently limits their ability to perform the FSDT or drop landing task, a history of low back pain in the last three months, known pregnancy, as pregnancy is a risk factor for diastasis rectus abdominis (DRA) which may be exacerbated by participation in the intervention and could be a confounding variable, and current participation in other clinical trials.

Locations (1)

LSU Health Sciences Center at Shreveport

Shreveport, Louisiana, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Forward Step Down Test (FSDT)

Rating on the FSDT (0-6; 0-1 = good movement quality, 2-3 = moderate movement quality, 4 or more = poor movement quality).