Hip Activation and FSDT

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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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.

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

Conditions
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Movement, Abnormal, Lower Extremity Problem

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Hip muscle activation home exercise program


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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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.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Arm 1<br>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. | Other: Hip muscle activation home exercise program<br>* 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.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Scores on the Forward Step Down Test | Participants will perform the Forward Step Down Test pre- and post-intervention, while being score by two investigators simultaneously. | Pre- and Post- Intervention Program (8 weeks) | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Surface electromyography (sEMG) - Gluteus Maximus | 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. | Pre- and Post- Intervention Program (8 weeks) | 
| Surface electromyography (sEMG) - Gluteus Medius | 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. | Pre- and Post- Intervention Program (8 weeks) | 
| Home Exercise Program (HEP) Compliance | 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. | Pre- and Post- Intervention Program (8 weeks) |