Effect of Hip External Rotation Angle on Pelvis and Lower Limb Muscle Activity During Prone Hip Extension

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of hip external rotation angle on pelvis and lower limb muscle activity during prone hip extension. Sixteen healthy men were recruited for this study. Each subject performed an abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) in a prone position, and extended the dominant hip at three different hip external rotation angles ($0^{\circ}$, $20^{\circ}$, $40^{\circ}$) with a $30^{\circ}$ hip joint abduction. Activity of the gluteus maximus (G Max), gluteus medius (G Med), and hamstring (HAM) and the G Max/HAM and G Med/HAM ratios were determined with surface electromyography (EMG). The EMG signal was normalized to 100% maximum voluntary isometric contractions (MVICs) and expressed as %MVIC. Data were analyzed by one-way repeated analysis of variance (alpha level=.05) and the Bonferroni post hoc test. Significant differences in G Max and G Med muscle activity were noted among the three different hip external rotation angles. G Max muscle activity increased significantly at both $40^{\circ}$ (p=.006) and $20^{\circ}$ (p=.010) compared to a $0^{\circ}$ hip external rotation angle. G Med muscle activity increased significantly at $20^{\circ}$ (p=.013) compared to a $40^{\circ}$ hip external rotation angle. The G Max/HAM activity ratio increased significantly at both $40^{\circ}$ (p=.004) and $20^{\circ}$ (p=.014) compared to a $0^{\circ}$ hip external rotation angle. The G Med/HAM activity ratio increased significantly at $20^{\circ}$ (p=.013) compared to a $40^{\circ}$ hip external rotation angle. In conclusion, $40^{\circ}$ and $20^{\circ}$ hip external rotation angles are recommended to increase G Max activity, and $20^{\circ}$ hip external rotation is advocated to enhance G Med muscle activity during prone hip extension with ADIM and $30^{\circ}$ hip abduction in healthy subjects.

엎드린 자세에서 고관절 신전 시 고관절 외회전 각도가 골반과 하지 근활성도에 미치는 영향