Assessing the Reliability of Two Orthopedic Special Tests to Determine Hip Flexor Contracture with the Assessment of Pelvic Tilt Angle during a Back Squat
Abstract
Orthopedic specialists use Special Tests to determine a pathology’s presence. Hip flexor contracture is linked to injury predisposition and postural anomalies. This research examined reliability for the Modified Thomas and Ely’s Special Tests when evaluating hip flexor contracture, and its effect on dynamic exercise. Twenty adults were randomized in a study and analyzed for hip flexor contracture. Dartfish Motion Analysis measured hip and knee flexion angles. Participants performed isometric squats to determine their maximal voluntary isometric contraction, which was later used to calculate exercise prescription for the eight-repetition dynamic back squat. Inter-rater reliability was slight to fair for iliopsoas contracture during the Modified Thomas Test. Overall analysis of pre-/post-test pelvic tilt and dynamic pelvic tilt between repetitions was not statistically significant (p<.05). Hip flexion between repetitions was statistically significant (p=.016). Clinicians should exert caution when defining pathology utilizing Special Tests and the effect of hip flexor contracture on dynamic movement.