Date
6-2026
Department
School of Health Sciences
Degree
Master of Science in Athletic Training (MS)
Chair
Matthew J. Gage
Keywords
Lower extremity, muscle activation, elite, female, field hockey, Division 1, sport, low back pain, LBP, hip extension, prone hip extension, PHE, collegiate
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences
Recommended Citation
Cornell, Madison S., "Lower Extremity Muscle Activation In Elite Female Field Hockey Players With And Without Low Back Pain During A Prone Hip Extension" (2026). Masters Theses. 1489.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/masters/1489
Abstract
Context: Low back pain (LBP) is a common chronic injury seen in field hockey players and more prominent in females than males. The purpose of this study was to identify if bilateral muscle activation differences exist in erector spinae (ES), gluteus maximus (Gmax), and biceps femoris (BF) in collegiate female field hockey players with and without LBP during a prone hip extension (PHE). It was hypothesized that individuals in the LBP group would have decreased Gmax and increased BF activation. Methods: A cohort design was utilized through a convenience sample to analyze variations in the dependent variables (muscle activation, flexibility, and joint range of motion). Separate 2 x 1 designs (group x time) were used to analyze muscle activation in participants during a PHE. Thirteen participants chose to complete the study, 7 Healthy (age=19.9+/-1.46yrs, mass=71.5+/-5.91kg, height=166.3+/-5.41cm), and 6 LBP (age=20.3+/-1.37, mass=67.9+/-1.78kg, height= 170.2+/-5.19cm). The Oswestry Disability Index and Athletes Disability Index Questionnaire were used to categorize participants into the LBP group and healthy group. Participants were part of the LBP group if they scored 15% or higher on either index. Anyone who scored below 15% was placed into the healthy group. The study took place in the Liberty University Biomechanics Lab. A One-Way ANOVA was used to analyze the muscle activation data to determine if between group differences existed. Results: The results were separated by left and right PHE. Muscle activation was assessed of the BF, ES, and Gmax muscles bilaterally. Data for the muscle activation dependent variables were reported by groups and by PHE. No difference between groups for peak and mean normalized muscle activation during the left PHE on the left leg LBF(peak: F(1,11)=4.84, p=0.787, mean: F(1,11)=4.84, p=0.605, LGM(peak: F(1,11)=4.84, p=0.284, mean: F(1,11)=4.84, p=0.980, LES(peak: F(1,11)=4.84, p=0.424, mean: F(1,11)=4.84, p=0.433, RBF(peak: F(1,11)=4.84, p=0.334, mean: F(1,11)=4.84, p=0.004, RGM(peak: F(1,11)=4.84, p=0.884, mean: F(1,11)=4.84, p=0.266, RES(peak: F(1,11)=4.84, p=0.178 , mean: F(1,11)=4.84, p=0.677, during the left PHE. No difference between groups for peak and mean normalized muscle activation during the PHE on the right leg LBF(peak: F(1,11)=4.84, p=0.860, mean: F(1,11)=4.84, p=0.861, LGM(peak: F(1,11)=4.84, p=0.115, mean: F(1,11)=4.84, p=0.104, LES(peak: F(1,11)=4.84, p=0.873, mean: F(1,11)=4.84, p=0.407, RBF(peak: F(1,11)=4.84, p=0.686, mean: F(1,11)=4.84, p=0.645, RGM(peak: F(1,11)=4.84, p=0.807, mean: F(1,11)=4.84, p=0.833, RES(peak: F(1,11)=4.84, p=0.230 , mean: F(1,11)=4.84, p=0.138, during the right PHE. Conclusions: No differences in mean and peak muscle activation existed between field hockey players with and without LBP. Given our sample size, further research is needed with a larger sample size to determine if differences exist. Assessing muscle activation patterns may provide more clinical relevance than mean & peak muscle activation.
