Hip Activation and FSDT

Does a Hip Muscle Activation Home Exercise Program Change Patient Performance on the Forward Step-Down Test? A Single-Arm Clinical Trail

The purpose of this study is to determine if activation training of the hip musculature affects muscle activation and frontal plane mechanics in healthy individuals. Specific Aim 1: Determine whether performance on the forward step-down test (FSDT) changes after an eight-week home exercise program (HEP) focused on hip musculature activation in healthy individuals. Specific Aim 2: Determine whether surface electromyography (sEMG) hip musculature changes following an eight-week HEP focused on hip musculature activation in healthy individuals. Specific Aim 3: Determine whether a dose-response relationship exists between compliance on the HEP and changes in FSDT scores in healthy individuals. Specific Aim 4: Determine whether a dose-response relationship exists between compliance on the HEP and sEMG changes in hip musculature activation in healthy individuals.

Participants will undergo lower extremity movement assessment on the Forward Step Down Test before and after a home exercise program (HEP) consisting of five hip activation exercises. These exercises will be performed 2x/week for 8 weeks. Surface EMG of the gluteus maximus and medius, in addition to tracking of participant compliance on the HEP program will also be assessed pre- and post-intervention.

Participants will perform a home exercise program consisting of five hip muscle activation exercises with the use of a resistance band. The program will be eight weeks in duration, and participants will perform the exercises twice weekly.

Participants will perform the Forward Step Down Test pre- and post-intervention, while being score by two investigators simultaneously.

sEMG data for the gluteus maximus, including both mean EMG activation and peak EMG activation will be recorded during performance of the Forward Step Down Test.

sEMG data for the gluteus medius, including both mean EMG activation and peak EMG activation will be recorded during performance of the Forward Step Down Test.

Participants will complete a log of the number of HEP sessions they complete during the 8-week intervention program. The sum of sessions completed will be used as a measure of compliance.

Inclusion Criteria: Participants must be current first or second year Doctor of Physical Therapy students in the School of Allied Health Professions at LSU Health Shreveport. Exclusion Criteria: Current knee pain or pathology in the dominant leg, and women with known pregnancy.