Objective: To investigate relationships between the side-to-side
difference in tibiofemoral ratio and torque of the six hip muscle
groups, in recreational runners with or without overuse injury in the
knee region due to running.
Design: Retrospective study.
Setting: Recreational runners in Aalborg, Aulum, Holstebro as well as
Ringkøbing, Denmark, regardless of association with organized
running clubs.
Participants: 19 recreational runners (12 men, 7 women) with selfreported
injury in the knee region, and 42 recreational runners (15
men, 27 women) without injury.
Main outcome measures: Self-reported demographic information of
injury specifically in the knee region.
Tibiofemoral ratio was determined by leg length measurement.
Muscle strength of the six hip muscle groups were tested utilizing
a hand-held dynamometer, and were subsequently
normalized to body weight and height1-3.
Results: Univariate analysis showed no significant difference in sideto-
side difference in tibiofemoral ratio and torque of the hip, between
injured and non-injured recreational runners. A trend towards a
reduced torque in the left hip abductor in the group of injured runners
was observed (p = 0 .086). Logistic regression analysis showed that
increased age and torque of the left hip abductor reduced the
likelihood of injury (odds ratioage = 0.908, 95% CI = 0.837 to .985, p =
0.020) (odds ratiov.abd = 0.476, 95% CI = 0,276 to 0,821, p = 0.008),
whereas increased weight and torque of the right adductor increased
the likelihood of injury (odds ratioweight = 1.070, 95% CI = 1002 to 1142,
p = 0.043)(odds ratioh.add = 1.815, 95% CI = 1094-3012, p = 0.021).
Conclusions: Although a significant side-to-side difference in
tibiofemoral ratio and torque of the hip was not observed, reduced
strength in the left hip abductor was included in the final logistic
regression model to predict overuse injury in the knee region in
recreational runners.
These results should be used tentatively, however, they indicate
consensus with other studies27,31. Lastly, these results highlight the
need for future studies with a particular focus on whether hip
abductors are associated with overuse injury in recreational runners.