Hip flexor muscle size in ballet dancers compared to athletes, and relationship to hip pain. (July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Emery, Sophie; Cook, Jill; Ferris, April-Rose; Smith, Peter; Mayes, Susan
• Is Part Of: Physical therapy in sport. Volume 38(2019)
• Page Start: 146
• Page End: 151
• Publication Date: 2019-07
• Subjects: Dance -- Magnetic resonance imaging -- Hip flexors -- Muscle cross-sectional area; Sports physical therapy -- Periodicals; Sports injuries -- Patients -- Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; Athletic Injuries -- diagnosis -- Periodicals; Athletic Injuries -- therapy -- Periodicals; Physical Therapy -- Periodicals; Sports Medicine -- Periodicals; 615.82088796
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2019.05.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1466-853X

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: To compare hip flexor muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) in ballet dancers and athletes, and to evaluate the relationship between hip flexor size and hip pain. Study design: Case control study. Setting: Elite ballet and sport. Participants: 33 professional ballet dancers and 33 age and sex-matched athletes. Main outcome measures: CSA's of hip flexor muscles iliopsoas, rectus femoris, sartorius and tensor fascia latae (TFL) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of one hip. Hip pain was scored with the Copenhagen Hip and Groin Outcome Score (HAGOS): HAGOS pain score of 100 was defined as no pain and a score less than 100 was defined as pain. Participants' weight and height. Results: Dancers had larger iliopsoas (P < 0.001, ηp 2 = 0.25), TFL (P = 0.001, ηp 2 = 0.17), and sartorius (P < 0.001, ηp 2 = 0.18) estimated marginal mean muscle CSAs compared to athletes. Rectus femoris muscle size did not differ between groups (P = 0.095, ηp 2 = 0.04). Iliopsoas estimated marginal mean muscle CSA was 8% smaller in participants with hip pain compared to those with no hip pain (P = 0.035, ηp 2 = 0.7). There was no interaction between the estimated marginal mean muscle CSA of rectus femoris, TFL and sartorius and pain. Conclusion: Ballet appears to selectively load iliopsoas, TFL and sartorius muscles but not rectus femoris. Iliopsoas muscle size was smaller in participants with hip pain, but TFL, sartorius and rectus femoris muscle size was not related to hip pain. Highlights: Iliopsoas, tensor fascia latae and sartorius muscle size was larger in ballet dancers compared to athletes. Rectus femoris muscle size was similar in dancers and athletes. Iliopsoas muscle size was smaller in participants with hip pain. Tensor fascia latae, sartorius and rectus femoris muscle size was not related to hip pain.