Comparison of hip extension and rotation ranges of motion in young elite tennis players with and without history of low back pain

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Although low back pain (LBP) is known to be multi-factorial, certain studies have suggested that a deficit in hip extension and rotation range of motion (ROM) may be associated with LBP in athletes.

OBJETIVE:

The purpose of this study was to compare hip extension and rotation ROMs in elite tennis players with and without a history of LBP.

METHODS:

Forty-two male and 22 female young elite tennis players completed this study. Participants were divided into two groups: (1) 32 with history of LBP and (2) 32 without history of LBP. Descriptive measures of passive hip extension and rotation ROMs of the dominant and non-dominant limbs were taken. Active hip rotation ROMs were also assessed. Magnitude-based inferences on differences between groups and legs were made by standardizing differences.

RESULTS:

The inter-group statistical analysis reported no significant differences ( $p>$ 0.05; trivial effect with a probability higher than 95%; $d⩽$ 0.4) in any ROM measure analyzed. Further, neither LBP group nor control group reported significant bilateral or side-to-side differences ( $p>$ 0.05; trivial effect with a probability higher than 99%; $d<$ 0.3) between legs regarding hip extension and rotation ROM measures.

CONCLUSION:

No relationship between hip extension and rotation ROM and history of LBP was found.