THE EFFECTS OF ELASTIC GROIN WRAPPING ON THE KINEMATICS OF ICE SKATING

Abstract

Groin injuries are among the most common injuries seen in ice hockey, accounting for as many as 10-12% of total injuries sustained (Anderson & Strickland, 2001; Emery & Meeuwisse, 2001). The return to competition from a groin injury depends on the perceived pain, muscular strength and the ability of the athlete to skate. The application of an elastic groin wrap may allow the athlete to return to play at a quicker rate by limiting the player's range of motion (ROM) and thus preventing further damage. However, limiting a player's ROM may affect the skating abilities. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of elastic groin wraps on active hip ROM and the kinematics of ice skating. METHODS: Eighteen female NCAA Division 1 ice hockey players volunteered for this study. On two separate days, the subjects were tested on ice performing a 15.20m full-speed test, a 6.10m acceleration test, and the Gilling agility test (Gilling, 2001). Nine subjects were randomly chosen to wear elastic groin wraps during the first on ice testing day, the remaining 9 subjects wore the elastic groin wrap on the second testing day. The times to complete each test were recorded using an electric timing system. During the full speed test the subjects were video-recorded from the side and the back to obtain stride length, stride width, stride frequency, push-off distance and push-off width. Off ice, the subjects were video-taped while performing active ROM tests for hip abduction, extension, and flexion, with and without elasJic groin wraps applied. The Peak Motus System was used to determine the listed variables from the video recordings of the on-and off-ice testing. Paired samples t-tests were used to check for significant differences between the groin wrap and no groin wrap testing conditions.