Athletic groin pain (part 2): a prospective cohort study on the biomechanical evaluation of change of direction identifies three clusters of movement patterns

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Files
1467.pdf(2.43 MB)
Published Version
Date
2016-10-08
Authors
Franklyn-Miller, Andrew
Richter, Chris
King, Enda
Gore, S.
Moran, Kieran A.
Strike, S.
Falvey, Éanna
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BMJ Publishing Group
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Abstract
Background: Athletic groin pain (AGP) is prevalent in sports involving repeated accelerations, decelerations, kicking and change-of-direction movements. Clinical and radiological examinations lack the ability to assess pathomechanics of AGP, but three-dimensional biomechanical movement analysis may be an important innovation. Aim: The primary aim was to describe and analyse movements used by patients with AGP during a maximum effort change-of-direction task. The secondary aim was to determine if specific anatomical diagnoses were related to a distinct movement strategy. Methods: 322 athletes with a current symptom of chronic AGP participated. Structured and standardised clinical assessments and radiological examinations were performed on all participants. Additionally, each participant performed multiple repetitions of a planned maximum effort change-of-direction task during which whole body kinematics were recorded. Kinematic and kinetic data were examined using continuous waveform analysis techniques in combination with a subgroup design that used gap statistic and hierarchical clustering. Results: Three subgroups (clusters) were identified. Kinematic and kinetic measures of the clusters differed strongly in patterns observed in thorax, pelvis, hip, knee and ankle. Cluster 1 (40%) was characterised by increased ankle eversion, external rotation and knee internal rotation and greater knee work. Cluster 2 (15%) was characterised by increased hip flexion, pelvis contralateral drop, thorax tilt and increased hip work. Cluster 3 (45%) was characterised by high ankle dorsiflexion, thorax contralateral drop, ankle work and prolonged ground contact time. No correlation was observed between movement clusters and clinically palpated location of the participant's pain. Conclusions: We identified three distinct movement strategies among athletes with long-standing groin pain during a maximum effort change-of-direction task. These movement strategies were not related to clinical assessment findings but highlighted targets for rehabilitation in response to possible propagative mechanisms. Trial registration number NCT02437942, pre results.
Description
Keywords
Sports medicine , Athletic groin pain (AGP) , Athletic injuries , Sports injuries , Pathomechanics , Movement strategies , Athletes
Citation
Franklyn-Miller, A., Richter, C., King, E., Gore, S., Moran, K., Strike, S. and Falvey, E. C. (2016) ‘Athletic groin pain (part 2): a prospective cohort study on the biomechanical evaluation of change of direction identifies three clusters of movement patterns’, British Journal of Sports Medicine. Published Online First: 6 October 2016. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2016-096050