Increased external hip-rotation strength relates to reduced dynamic knee control in females: paradox or adaptation?

The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between hip muscle strength (abduction and external rotation) and frontal-plane knee control during drop jumping in recreational female athletes. Thirty-three healthy young recreational female athletes were included. Maximal isometric hip abduction and external rotation torque were measured using hand-held dynamometry, and frontal-plane knee control during drop jumping was assessed using three-dimensional motion analysis. Frontal-plane knee control during drop jumping was expressed as the absolute (cm) and relative (cm/cm body height) change in distance between lateral knee markers from foot-ground contact to the time of minimal marker distance during the contact phase of the jump. Greater maximal external hip-rotation torque correlated significantly with greater absolute (r=0.48, P=0.005) and relative (r=0.43, P=0.012) change in knee marker distance during drop jumping. Maximal hip-abduction torque did not correlate with the absolute (r=0.18, P=0.31) or relative (r=0.19, P=0.29) change in knee marker distance during drop jumping. Contrary to our expectations, greater maximal external hip-rotation torque was related to greater change in knee marker distance during drop jumping (reduced frontal-plane knee control) in recreational female athletes.