A COMPARISON OF ASYMMETRY IN ATHLETIC GROIN PAIN PATIENTS AND ELITE RUGBY UNION PLAYERS USING ANALYSIS OF CHARACTERISING PHASES

Abstract

This study compared levels of inter limb asymmetry between field sports players with athletic groin pain and international rugby union players. Three dimensional kinematics and kinetics were recorded for the single leg hurdle hop and side cut movement. Analysis of characterising phases was utilised to identify significant differences in asymmetry between the two groups. The rugby union group had significantly greater asymmetry in some kinematic variables and hip kinetic variables at the beginning of the exercises. Overall however, the athletic groin pain group displayed greater asymmetry, particularly in hip moments compared with the rugby union group. These results suggest that an aspect of rehabilitation for athletic groin pain should focus on reducing asymmetric hip moments.