Affiliations: [a] Department of Pathology and Surgery, Sport Research Centre, Miguel Hernández University of Elche, Sant Joan d’Alacant, Spain | [b] Department of Sport Science, Sport Research Centre, Miguel Hernández University of Elche, Elche (Alicante), Spain | [c] Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, Universidad of León, Spain
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Víctor Moreno Pérez, Sports Research Centre, Miguel Hernández University of Elche, Avda. de la Universidad s/n., P.C. 03202, Elche (Alicante), Spain. Tel.: +62 9224919; E-mail: vmoreno@goumh.es.
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.
Keywords: Injury prevention, tennis, rotation-related sports, muscle flexibility, flexibility training
