Balance and strength in nonprofessional dancers with snapping hip:: A cross-sectional study

https://doi.org/10.36386/sajrsper.v47i2.569

Snapping hip syndrome (SHS) is prevalent among dancers, affecting their well-being and increasing injury risk. Little is known about SH and its relationships with factors commonly associated with injury. The study aimed to describe and compare (affected vs. unaffected sides) dynamic balance, hip muscle strength, functional turnout (FTO), compensated turnout (CTO) and passive hip external rotation (HER) range of motion (ROM) in nonprofessional dancers with SH and explore interrelationships. The cross-sectional study included a convenience sample of adult and adolescent nonprofessional dancers diagnosed with SH, from multigenre dance schools in Cape Town, South Africa. Demographic information was collected. Outcome measures were the numeric pain rating scale (pain), Y balance test (dynamic balance), goniometry (active and passive HER) and handheld dynamometry (hip muscle strength). Affected and unaffected sides were randomly tested. Statistical analyses included paired t-tests for side-to-side comparisons, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for age comparisons across pain categories, and Pearson’s correlation coefficients to explore relationships between variables. Twenty-three women voluntarily participated (mean age: 22 (6.4) years). Study outcomes did not differ between affected and unaffected sides (p=0.28–0.70). HER muscle strength on the affected side and CTO demonstrated a moderate positive correlation (r=0.51, p=0.01), suggesting that improving HER muscle strength will improve FTO.