Abstract:
Hip torque production is associated with certain knee injuries. The hip
rotators change function depending on hip angle. Objective: To compare hip-rotator
torque production between 3 angles of hip flexion, limbs, and sexes. Design:
Descriptive. Setting: University sports medicine research laboratory. Participants:
15 men and 15 women, 19–39 y. Intervention: Three 6-s maximal isometric
contractions of the hip external and internal rotators at 10°, 40°, and 90° of hip
flexion on both legs. Main Outcome Measure: Average torque normalized to body
mass. Results: Internal-rotation torque was greatest at 90° of hip flexion, followed
by 40° of hip flexion and finally 10° of hip flexion. External-rotation torque was
not different based on hip flexion. The nondominant leg’s external rotators were
stronger than the dominant leg’s, but the reverse was true for internal rotators.
Finally, the men had more overall rotator torque. Conclusions: Hip-rotation torque
production varies between flexion angle, leg, and sex. Clinicians treating lower
extremity problems need to be aware of these differences.
