Potential Origin of Hip Joint Pain When Running

26/03/2015 Bretta Riches Dealing with Running Injuries 615

A study by Montgomery et al. discovered that most heel strike runners used hip flexion for forward propulsion when running, which may be a potential origin of hip joint pain when running. Their finding contradicts earlier studies which demonstrated that heel strike runners used ankle plantarflexion (i.e. toe push-off) for forward propulsion.

Hip Joint Pain When Running

Potential Origin of Hip Joint Pain When Running

In the current study, the discovery that the hip muscles were the main source of forward propulsion in heel strike running, bolsters the idea that using the hips to accelerate the mass of the body may cause hip joint pain when running.

Hip Joint Pain Running
Above, shows how a heel striker uses the hips for forward propulsion to accelerate the body’s mass, a movement strategy associated with over-striding and braking. SOURCE: Montgomery et al. Electromyographic analysis of hip and knee musculature during running.Amer J Sports Med, 1994; 22(2):272-278.
  • Mann et al. also found that the hips were used primarily for forward propulsion in heel strike runners.

Most researchers now believe using the hips for propulsion drives the swing leg more forward, causing the foot to land in front of the body. The net result is rapid, but temporary braking at touchdown, exerting high compression on the knee-joint which is why, according to Winter et al., the notion that hip extension produces propulsion is not universally accepted, and here’s why:

  • When the foot lands in front of the body at touchdown, more muscular work is needed to move the body’s mass from behind to in front of the foot at the end of the stance.
  • During this time, of which ground contact is very long, the hips are also used for stabilization. As the mass of the body moves in front of the knee, hip extension is initiated to propel the body.

Needless to say, the hip joint appears to have a big job in heel strike running. Being used for forward propulsion is an easy trap for hyperextension of the hip joint resulting in painful flare-ups. Furthermore, almost all existing treatments are aimed at improving hip strength.

But, is hip weakness the main symptom that characterizes hip joint pain when running?

Forefoot Running: Safer on the Hip Joint

A better understanding of biomechanics has led to more refined treatments. For instance, by switching to forefoot running, associated with fewer side effects than heel strike running, makes it possible for runners to run without hip joint pain.

That biomechanical adjustment is important because we now know that the ground reaction force in forefoot running is not propulsive.

  • Romanov and Fletcher demonstrated that the ground reaction force is a reactive force, not propulsive in forefoot running, and there is no ground reaction from the hips.
Preventing hip joint pain when running
According to Romanov and Fletcher, the hips are not used to push the body in forefoot running. The body does not need to be pushed because the mass of the body is never behind the foot at strike, rather the mass of the body is always positioned anterior because the body is always falling forward. SOURCE: Romanov, N and Fletcher G. Runners do not push off the ground but fall forwards via a gravitational torque. Sports Biomech, 2007; 6(3):434-452.

Studies on Kenyan barefoot runners, who are also forefoot runners, showed that the hip extensor muscles were not active because these muscles were not used for propulsion during stance.

Romanov and Fletcher reasoned that the forward momentum is gained because the body is always falling forward in forefoot running. Simply lean forward very subtly, let your foot catch you from falling by letting it land close to your hips, making sure both knees are slightly bent at all times, will blunt the urge to push with your hips.

More From Run Forefoot:

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome in Running – Repetitive ankle dorisflexion at touchdown, a common action in heel strike running, identified in tarsal tunnel syndrome.

Althetic Tape – Latest findings on the benefits of using KT Tape for running.

Barefoot Running Injuries – Heel striking when running barefoot manifests more injury as opposed to heel striking in running shoes.

Preventing Injury – Running with less injury means landing with a forefoot strike, not a heel strike.

Shoes – 30 of the best, most popular minimalist shoes that will help you maintain exceptional forefoot running form.

References:

Cavanagh, P. R., and LaFortune, M. A. (1980). Ground reaction forces in distance running. Journal of Biomechanics, 11, 487–49

Montgomery et al. Electromyographic analysis of hip and knee musculature during running.Amer J Sports Med, 1994; 22(2):272-278.

Ounpuu S: The biomechanics of running: A kinematic and kinetic analysis. Instr Course Lect 39: 305-318, 1990

Romanov, N and Fletcher G. Runners do not push off the ground but fall forwards via a gravitational torque. Sports Biomech, 2007; 6(3):434-452.

Winter DA: Moments of force and mechanical power in jogging. J Biomech, 16: 91-97, 1983.

P.S. Don't forget to check out the Run Forefoot Facebook Page, it's a terrific place to ask questions about forefoot running, barefoot running and injury. I'm always happy to help!

615 Comments

  1. Hello very nice web site!! Guy .. Beautiful .. Amazing .. I’ll bookmark your blog and take the feeds additionally?KI am glad to search out so many useful info here within the put up, we want work out extra techniques on this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .

  2. Hey there! I’m at work browsing your blog from my new iphone! Just wanted to say I love reading your blog and look forward to all your posts! Carry on the outstanding work!

  326. I’ve been exploring for a bit for any high-quality articles or weblog posts on this sort of space . Exploring in Yahoo I eventually stumbled upon this website. Reading this information So i’m satisfied to convey that I’ve an incredibly good uncanny feeling I came upon exactly what I needed. I such a lot indisputably will make sure to don’t omit this site and give it a look regularly.

  456. Hey would you mind stating which blog platform you’re using? I’m looking to start my own blog soon but I’m having a difficult time choosing between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your layout seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something completely unique. P.S Sorry for being off-topic but I had to ask!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.