Date of Award
5-2017
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Kinesiology
First Advisor
Scott Richmond
Second Advisor
Cynthia Schroeder
Third Advisor
Kathryn Tessmer
Abstract
Synchronized swimming is a physically demanding sport that exposes the lower extremity to unusual forces. Currently, limited information exists that outlines the modifiable factors associated with knee pain experienced by synchronized swimmers.
PURPOSE: This study's aim was to identify the relationship between strength, mobility, movement quality, and pain in collegiate synchronized swimmers.
METHODS: Sixteen collegiate synchronized swimmers (mean ± SD, 20.5 ± l.8y; 165.8 ± 5.1cm; 63.8 ± 5.8kg) were tested. Hip musculature isometric strength was measured using an external force transducer. Hip mobility and Q-angle was assessed using a goniometer. Movement quality was deternined using the Functional Movement Screen (FMS). Lower extremity pain was assessed using the Knee Outcome Survey - Activities of Dai ly Living (KOS-ADL). Pearson correlation coefficients were used to deternine relationships among the measured variables. independent T-tests were used to assess differences in scores when comparing pain versus no pain.
RESULTS: Hip strength (ADDR) was negatively correlated with KOS-AOL (r = 0.488, p = 0.055). FMS score in the knee pain group was greater than the no pain group (p < 0.05). Hip mobility was greater in the pain group (p < 0.05), while hip strength was lower in the pain group (p < 0.05). Q-angle was not significantly different between groups (p > 0.05). Synchronized swimmers demonstrated above normal hip strength, while mobility and Q-angle values were found to be within normal ranges.
CONCLUSION: Synchronized swimming seems to demand above average hip musculature strength while favoring non hypermobile athletes. Knee pain is a multifactorial condition prevalent among synchronized swimmers. Future studies should investigate optimal mobility and movement quality as it relates to injury risk.
Recommended Citation
Costa, Paul Borges, "The Relationship Between Lower Extremity Strength, Mobility, Movement Quality, and Pain in Collegiate Synchronized Swimmers" (2017). Theses. 524.
https://digitalcommons.lindenwood.edu/theses/524
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License