Effect of Hip Position and Gender on Active Hip Internal Rotation and External Rotation on the Dominant Side

Objective: This study was designed to establish the influence of gender and hip flexion position on active range of motion of the hip in external and internal rotation.

Method: 100 (50 Males & 50 Females) healthy college-age subjects with no previous hip problems were studied. Mean age was 21.8 years with a range of 18-27 years. Hip rotation of the dominant leg of each subject was measured in the prone (hip near 0" of flexion) and seated (hip near 90" of flexion) positions using a standard goniometer.

Result: Data were analyzed using t test. Our results indicate Mean values of active hip ROM for college aged students is 27.85 for internal rotation and 34.61 for external rotation in seated position & Mean values of active hip ROM for college aged students is 35.35 for internal rotation & 42.57 for external rotation in prone position.Females had statistically more active hip internal and external rotation than males.

Conclusion: These findings are clinically significant and stress the importance of documenting measurement position.