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Hannon, JP, Wang-Price, S, Garrison, JC, Goto, S, Bothwell, JM, and Bush, CA. Normalized hip and knee strength in two age groups of adolescent female soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 36(1): 207–211, 2022—Limb symmetry strength measures are used for clinical decision-making considering when an athlete is ready to return to sport after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. However, changes in bilateral muscle strength occur after ACL injury resulting in potentially altered limb symmetry calculations. Adolescent female soccer players are at increased risk of sustaining ACL injuries. Published age and sex-matched strength values in this population may be of benefit to clinicians to improve clinical decision-making. The purpose of this study was to establish normative hip and knee strength data of both the dominant and nondominant limbs in adolescent female soccer players. Sixty-four female soccer players (ages 10–18) were enrolled in this study. Subjects were divided by age into 2 groups (group 1: 10–14 years; group 2: 15–18 years). Subjects underwent Biodex isokinetic strength testing at 60°·s−1 and 180°·s−1 to assess quadriceps and hamstring strength. Isometric hip strength (abduction and external rotation) was measured using a hand-held dynamometer. No significant differences were found between groups on either limb in regards to quadriceps or hamstring strength. No significant differences were found between groups on either limb for hip external rotation strength. Significant differences in hip abduction strength were found between groups on the dominant (group 1: 0.21 ± 0.04; group 2: 0.18 ± 0.04; p = 0.014) and nondominant (group 1: 0.21 ± 0.05; group 2: 0.18 ± 0.05; p = 0.019) limbs. The results of this study shed light on normative strength values for a high-risk injury population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Insufficient stability of the lumbopelvic region has been reported as an underlying cause of lumbopelvic pain in postpartum women. Women early postpartum have been shown to have decreased ability to contract the deep abdominal muscles; however, differentiation has not been made between women who deliver via cesarean delivery versus those who have vaginal births. Objectives: To compare deep abdominal muscle performance in women who delivered vaginally versus those who delivered via cesarean delivery. The secondary purpose was to determine the reliability of the testing protocol using ultrasound imaging. Study Design: Case-control design. Methods: Twenty postpartum women (10 vaginal births and 10 cesarean delivery births) who had given birth within the past 12 months completed the study. Muscle thickness of the transverse abdominis (TrA) and internal oblique abdominis (IO) muscles was measured using ultrasound imaging while the participant performed the abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM). Percent change of muscle thickness was used for statistical analysis as follows: Percent Change = [(Contracted–Rest)/(Rest)] × 100%. Results: There was no significant difference between groups for the percent change of muscle thickness for the TrA (P =.53) or IO group (P =.80). Interrater reliability was excellent, with intraclass correlation coefficient values of 0.97 for both the TrA and IO groups, respectively. Conclusion: The results showed no differences in the percent change of deep abdominal muscle thickness during ADIM between women who delivered vaginally and those who delivered via cesarean delivery, indicating that the cesarean delivery surgical procedure may not further decrease abdominal muscle performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text. Objectives: To examine the effects of lumbopelvic stabilization exercises (LSE) and pelvic compression belts on muscle behavior in women with sacroiliac joint. Study Design: Feasibility randomized clinical trial. Background: Patients with unilateral lumbopelvic pain have been shown to have altered muscle recruitment patterns of the transverse abdominis (TrA) and internal oblique muscles. The effects of LSE and pelvic compression belts on muscle behavior are unknown in this population. Methods and Measures: Twenty-five women with unilateral sacroiliac joint pain were randomly assigned to the LSE plus belt (LSE + belt) group or the LSE group. Both groups received the same LSE for 12 weeks with the first 4 weeks under supervision. The LSE + belt group also received a pelvic compression belt for the first 4 weeks. Outcome measures, including the Modified Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire, Numeric Pain Rating Scale, and percent change of muscle thickness for the TrA and internal oblique, were collected at baseline, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks. In addition, Global Rating of Change Scale scores were collected at 4 and 12 weeks. Results: The analysis of variance results revealed no significant interaction for Modified Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire, Numeric Pain Rating Scale, or percent change of TrA and internal oblique; however, all had significant improvements in over time. There was no significant difference in Global Rating of Change Scale scores between groups. Conclusion: The results of this feasibility study did not offer clear evidence of the benefit of pelvic compression belt over LSE for those with sacroiliac joint pain. All participants demonstrated an increased muscle thickness of TrA in the first 4 weeks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]