The effect of a single high velocity low amplitude hip mobilization on strength in subjects with knee injuries

Abstract Background Manual therapy have been used as a disinhibitory intervention to increase muscle activation before performing functional tasks that are limited by weakness. Knee injuries are commonly associated with weakness in quadriceps and gluteus. Currently, there is no evidence to support anecdotal experience that a hip distraction mobilization improves muscle performance in subjects with knee injuries and lower extremity weakness. Objectives To determine if a hip distraction mobilization would result in an immediate change of maximal force output of the quadriceps and gluteus. Design Non-controlled observational pre-post design. Methods Forty individuals with knee pathology were included. Subjects underwent quadriceps, gluteus maximus, and gluteus medius muscle strength assessment before a single hip distraction of the symptomatic side. An immediate re-assessment of muscle strength of both symptomatic and asymptomatic sides followed the mobilization. Results /findings: Comparing pre-to post-mobilization strength on the symptomatic side, a significant increase was found with the gluteus maximus (average change = 2.0 kg [95%CI 0.6–3.4]; p  Conclusion A single hip distraction resulted in a significant increase in gluteus maximus strength but did not produce a change in gluteus medius or quadriceps strength in subjects with knee injuries.