Effects of Self-stretching with Mobilization on Hip Range of Motion in Individuals with Hip Internal Rotation Deficits

Background : Both stretching and joint mobilization are effective for hip internal range of motion (ROM) recovery. In particular, stretching of the hip external rotators and posterior/lateral glide mobilization are used to improve hip internal rotation (IR) ROM. However, no study has examined the effects of simultaneous stretching and joint mobilization. Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of stretching with mobilization (SWM) on hip IR ROM and flexion abduction external rotation (FABER) height. Methods : Thirty-eight males with hip internal rotation deficit (HIRD) were randomly allocated to two groups (n = 19 per group), i.e., cross-leg stretching with posterior/lateral glide mobilization (SWM group) and cross-leg stretching alone (stretching group). Hip IR and external rotation (ER) ROM, and FABER height, were assessed before and immediately after intervention. Group and time differences were analyzed using two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance. Results : Significantly greater changes in IR ROM (6.93°, p < 0.001) and FABER height (&#8211;2.12 cm, p < 0.001) were observed in the SWM group compared to the stretching group, although a significant increase in IR ROM (SWM group, p < 0.001; stretching group, p < 0.001) and significant decrease in FABER height (SWM group, p < 0.001; stretching group, p = 0.001) were observed in both groups. Significant improvement in ER ROM was observed in both groups (SWM group, p = 0.003; stretching group, p = 0.003), but there was no difference in the magnitude thereof between them (p = 0.058). Conclusions : In individuals with HIRD, SWM resulted in greater improvements in hip IR and FABER height compared to stretching alone. Thus, SWM could be more useful for restoring hip IR ROM than stretching alone. Education in SWM is recommended for patients following treatment for HIRD in the clinical setting.