Abstract
Objective. To quantify the contribution of the pelvis and femur to active bilateral hip flexion
conducted while subjects are suspended by their hands from a bar.
Design. Descriptive and experimental.
Background. Voluntary hip flexion while in a suspended position is used in abdominal strengthening
regimens and is required for certain athletic activities. The degree to which pelvic
rotation contributes to this maneuver has not been established.
Methods. Pelvic and femoral motions were documented in 14 subjects who performed bilateral
hip flexion while they hung by their hands from a bar. A supporting board as well
as the trunk, pelvis and thigh were marked with reflective spheres; motion of the
pelvis and thigh relative to the board was captured by video analysis. Ratios of pelvic
to femoral motion were calculated and the influence of hamstring length (<78° vs >78°
of straight leg raising) and knee position (flexed vs extended) on the ratio was determined.
Results. The mean pelvifemoral ratio ranged from 0.131 to 0.355, depending on hamstring length
and knee position. Pelvic rotation therefore contributed a mean 13.1–35.5% of the
observed hip flexion. A 2×2 mixed-model analysis of variance showed that the ratio was influenced significantly
by each of these two independent variables. The largest pelvic contribution occurred
during hip flexion with the knee in the extended position among subjects with shorter
hamstrings.
Conclusions. Pelvic motion is an integral part of hip flexion conducted while subjects are suspended
their hands from a bar. The pelvic contribution depends on knee position and hamstring
length.Relevance
During suspended activities involving hip flexion (e.g. gymnastics), pelvic rotation
plays an integral role throughout the range. Inherent or imposed differences in hamstring
length can alter the contribution of the pelvis to the motion. Hip flexion, therefore,
might be influenced by conditions affecting the ability of the pelvis to rotate (e.g.
spinal fusion), or the femur to move on the pelvis (e.g. degenerative joint disease),
or be altered by hamstring tension.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
April 25,
2003
Received:
April 5,
2002
Identification
Copyright
© 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
