Abstract

Does Iliopsoas Tightness Affects Synergistic Muscle Activity in Hip Extension During Stance Phase of Gait?

Author(s):Shirin Aali, Amir Letafatkar, Ismael Ebrahimi, Amir Hossein Barati, and Malihe Hadadnejad

Background and objective: Iliopsoas stiffness and restricted hip extension ROM affect muscle balance and lumbopelvic alignment. The purpose of this research is study of iliopsoas tightness’ effect on electromyographic activity of hip extensor synergists during gait. Methods: In this case-control study 15 adolescents with iliopsoas tightness as experimental group, and 15 healthy adolescents which matched based on age, height, weight, BMI, dominant leg, and sport experience participated voluntarily as control group. Surface electromyographic (sEMG) activity of the gluteus maximus, adductor magnus, and biceps femoris, were measured between groups during stance phase of gait. Results: Individuals with restricted hip flexor muscle length demonstrated more gluteus maximus activation during terminal stance (p=0.001), more biceps femoris activation during mid stance (p=0.002) and late stance (p=0.001) and more adductor magnus activation during mid stance (p=0.04) and late stance (p=0.001). Discussion and conclusion: Adolescent soccer athletes with hip flexor muscle tightness exhibit more biceps femoris and adductor magnus and gluteus maximus activation during stance phase of gait. Thus, individuals with hip flexor muscle tightness appear to utilize different neuromuscular strategies to control lower extremity motion.

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