Adherence
A 6-week hip strengthening and movement education program targeting hip abductors and external rotators fails to alter abnormal running mechanics (hip adduction, internal rotation, pelvic drop) in female runners with excessive hip adduction, despite significantly increasing hip strength.
If you are a runner with knee pain or abnormal mechanics, simply strengthening your hips (glutes) is likely not enough to fix your running form. You need to combine strengthening with specific movement retraining (like practicing the squat or running mechanics with feedback). Strength without the correct motor pattern does not change how you run.
While hip abductor and external rotation strength increased significantly (P<.005) in the training group, there were no significant changes in hip or knee mechanics during running.
Why this rating
Level 2b RCT with clear inclusion criteria (abnormal mechanics) and objective kinematic measures, though sample size is small (n=20).
Source
The Effect of a Hip-Strengthening Program on Mechanics During Running and During a Single-Leg Squat
Richard W. Willy et al. · Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy · 2011
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