Browsing by Author "Moodien, Wendy"

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    Postural sway in rugby players with chronic groin pain
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-03) September, Wendy; Moodien, Wendy; Unger, Marianne; Burger, Marlette; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences. Physiotherapy.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY : Introduction: Center of pressure (COP) has been frequently used as a guide of postural stability in standing. Objectives: The study aimed to describe postural sway (as determined by the center of pressure) during pelican stance and during foot contact of the landing phase of a double leg jump in rugby players with chronic adductor related groin pain compared to asymptomatic controls. Methodology: Study Design: A descriptive observational cross-sectional study was conducted. Setting: The study was performed at the 3D Human Biomechanics Central Analytical Facility at Stellenbosch University, South Africa. Participants: A consecutive sample of eight participants, four cases and four controls with chronic adductor related groin pain were included. One of the cases had bilateral groin pain and three had unilateral groin pain. Main Outcome Measures: Center of pressure (range of movement and velocity) were measured and analysed at foot contact during a double leg landing and during pelican stance by means of a force platform. Results: There were no significant differences between affected and unaffected sides within cases, nor between the affected side and same side in matched controls for any of the measurements recorded. However, in most cases greater antero-posterior range of movement and velocity is seen while standing on the affected side when compared to standing on the unaffected leg. There were also no significant differences found for postural sway when referring to antero-posterior and medio-lateral mean range of movement and velocity Conclusion: Postural Sway is not significantly affected in rugby players with chronic groin pain. There were no differences in center of pressure range of movement and velocity amplitude between cases and controls during a pelican stance test and after a double leg landing. It is postulated that a player with groin pain have over time learned to compensate in adjusting their COP. The study however tested participants who at the time of testing presented with no pain and were not fatigued prior to testing which may have obscured the impact of the condition on balance as determined by postural sway. Further research examining the risk of injury by fatiguing participants prior to testing may shed more light on the effect chronic groin pain has on postural sway in this population.