Relationship Between Eccentric Hip Torque and Lower-Limb Kinematics: Gender Differences

Abstract

The purposes of this study were to compare lower-limb kinematics between genders, and determine the relationships among eccentric hip abductor and lateral rotator torques and lower-limb kinematics. The movements of the pelvis, femur, and knee were calculated for 16 women and 16 men during the single-leg squat. Eccentric hip abductor and lateral rotator torques were measured using an isokinetic dynamometer. The results showed that women had greater contralateral pelvic depression, femur adduction, and knee abduction than men. The eccentric hip abductor and lateral rotator torques were correlated with coronal plane femur and knee movements in the overall sample. When the genders were analyzed separately, it was observed that women with greater eccentric hip abductor torque exhibited less femur adduction and femur medial rotation, and greater knee adduction excursion. No significant relationship was observed between the isokinetic and kinematic variables in the male group. The differences between the genders help to explain the greater rate of knee disorders observed in women. Moreover, the eccentric hip abduction action seemed to be more important in women to control the lower-limb movements.

Sex differences in trunk, pelvis, hip and knee kinematics and eccentric hip torque in adolescents

“…It has been argued that sex differences in terms of lower limb kinematics and torque generation might play an important role in the greater incidence of overuse knee injuries, such as PFP, in young females (Baldon et al, 2011;Baldon et al, 2013;Graci et al, 2012). Adult females have been shown to perform functional weight-bearing activities with movement patterns that have been associated with the development of PFP (Baldon et al, 2011(Baldon et al, , 2013Ford et al, 2006;Graci et al, 2012;Nakagawa et al, 2012aNakagawa et al, , 2012bZeller et al, 2003).…”

“…Specifically, in these studies, females showed greater hip adduction Nakagawa et al, 2012aNakagawa et al, , 2012bZeller et al, 2003), knee abduction Nakagawa et al, 2012aNakagawa et al, , 2012b, trunk ipsilateral lean (Nakagawa et al, 2012a(Nakagawa et al, , 2012b and contralateral pelvic drop (Nakagawa et al, 2012a), as well as smaller trunk flexion in comparison to males during single-leg squat. Adult females also showed diminished eccentric hip torque generation capacity in comparison to males (Baldon et al, 2011;Nakagawa et al, 2012b). However, to date, it is unclear if these biomechanical sex differences are already present in adolescents.…”

“…Sex differences regarding trunk and lower limb kinematics during single-leg squat (Baldon et al, 2011;Graci et al, 2012;Nakagawa et al, 2012aNakagawa et al, , 2012bZeller et al, 2003) and isokinetic eccentric hip torque (Baldon et al, 2011;Nakagawa et al, 2012b) have been observed between young adults. Specifically, in these studies, females showed greater hip adduction Nakagawa et al, 2012aNakagawa et al, , 2012bZeller et al, 2003), knee abduction Nakagawa et al, 2012aNakagawa et al, , 2012b, trunk ipsilateral lean (Nakagawa et al, 2012a(Nakagawa et al, , 2012b and contralateral pelvic drop (Nakagawa et al, 2012a), as well as smaller trunk flexion in comparison to males during single-leg squat.…”

Effects of Functional Stabilization Training on Pain, Function, and Lower Extremity Biomechanics in Women With Patellofemoral Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial

“…Several articles have shown that, with weightbearing activities, healthy females have greater hip adduction and knee abduction movement excursions when compared to males. 1,18,19,48 It is possible that this faulty lower-limb movement pattern might contribute to the greater incidence of PFP in females. Consequently, improvements in lower-limb kinematics may be more crucial to a successful clinical result in females than in males, although there is still no evidence to support this.…”

“…11,47 In addition, individuals with PFP have demonstrated increased hip adduction 32,46,47 and medial rotation, 32,42 as well as increased ipsilateral trunk inclination excursions, 31,32 during functional tasks. These altered movements have been associated with weakness of the hip abductor, lateral rotator, and extensor muscles 1,15,43 and are thought to lead to greater knee valgus angle and, consequently, greater pressure on the lateral side of the patellofemoral joint. Finally, it has been suggested that patients with PFP may perform weightbearing activities with minimal hip flexion and forward trunk lean, 37 leading to greater demands on the quadriceps muscle 5 and, consequently, greater patellofemoral joint stresses.…”