The Relationship of Hip Muscle Activation and the Incidence of Shoulder Injury in Collegiate Women's Volleyball Athletes: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Previous studies have indicated weak hip muscle activation in baseball pitchers leads to an increased incidence of shoulder injuries. This relationship, however, has not been explored in other overhead athletes, such as volleyball players. Surface electromyography (EMG) was used to evaluate each participant’s muscle activation during five dynamic activities. Dynamic activity was normalized according to MMTs for the rectus femoris, biceps femoris, gluteus maximus, and gluteus medius. The GMed during the eccentric box jump was statistically significant for position where setters showed the greatest activation and defensive players the least. The GMax during the single-leg deadlift was statistically significant for position where setters showed the greatest activation and defensive players the least. The hamstring showed statistically significant activation during the eccentric box jump where defensive players showed the highest activation and setters the least. The results should serve as a pilot study for future research due to the limited population.