EFFICACY OF TARGETED HIP ABDUCTOR MUSCLE STRENGTHENING IN COLLEGIATE RUNNERS WITH ILIOTIBIAL BAND SYNDROME: A PILOT QUASI-EXPERIMENTAL STUDY
Keywords:
Iliotibial band, Functional performance, Hip abductor strength, obers test, collegiate runnersAbstract
Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS) is a common overuse injury among collegiate runners, and hip abductor weakness is frequently considered a contributing factor. Although hip abductor strengthening has shown potential benefits in the management of ITBS, evidence regarding its effects on functional performance in collegiate runners remains limited. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a hip abductor strengthening protocol on functional performance in collegiate male runners with ITBS using a quasi-experimental pre-test–post-test design. Thirty male collegiate runners (mean age 20.3 ± 1.8 years) with clinically confirmed ITBS were recruited through convenience sampling from a single institution. All participants completed a standardized progressive 4-week hip abductor strengthening program consisting of side-lying hip abduction, clamshell exercises, lateral band walks, and single-leg squats under physiotherapist supervision. Functional performance was assessed at baseline and after the intervention using the 20-Yard Shuttle Test (20YST). Significant improvements in functional performance were observed following the intervention. The mean 20YST time decreased from 6.36 ± 0.165 seconds (95% CI: 6.30–6.42) to 5.52 ± 0.104 seconds (95% CI: 5.48–5.56), with a mean difference of 0.84 seconds (95% CI: 0.77–0.91; t = 25.98, p < 0.001; Cohen’s d = 0.82, indicating a large effect size). All participants exceeded the minimal detectable change threshold of 0.31 seconds, indicating clinically meaningful improvement. This pilot study provides preliminary evidence supporting the effectiveness of standardized hip abductor strengthening for improving short-term functional performance among collegiate runners with ITBS. The large effect size and observed improvements suggest that this intervention may have therapeutic value in this population.
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