The relationship among hip abductor strength, dynamic balance, and functional balance ability

Title: THE RELATIONSHIP AMONG HIP ABDUCTOR STRENGTH, DYNAMIC BALANCE, AND FUNCTIONAL BALANCE ABILITY Researcher: Mizue Iwamoto Advisor: Dr. Rebecca Hess Date: May 2008 Research Type: Master’s Thesis Context: Current research has indicated that weakness of the gluteus medius influences balance ability in healthy old women and people with functional ankle instability. Previous studies have not examined the relationship among hip abductor strength and different balance ability, such as dynamic and functional balance, in healthy athletes. Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship among hip abductor muscle strength, dynamic balance, and functional balance ability in collegiate athletes. Design: A descriptive correlational design was used to determine a relationship among hip abductor strength, dynamic balance, and functional balance. Setting: The testing was performed in a controlled laboratory setting by the researcher. Participants: Twenty Division II collegiate athletes volunteered (male=11, female=9) for this study that were currently free of injury. Interventions: Each subject was tested on one day. All subjects were tested by using the hip abductor hip strength test (ABDT), the Limits of Stability (LOS) test, and the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT). The ABDT was used to measure subjects’ hip abductor muscle strength, and the LOS and SEBT were