Article

Middle-aged adults with painful hip conditions show balance impairments that are
consistent with an increased risk of falls. Pathological changes at the hip,
accompanied by pain, may accelerate pre-existing age-related balance deficits
present in midlife. To consider the influence of pain alone,
we investigated the
effects of acute experimental hip muscle pain on dynamic single-limb balance in
middle-aged adults. Thirty-four healthy adults aged 40-60 years formed two groups
(Group-1: n=16; Group-2: n=18). Participants performed four tasks: Reactive
Sideways Stepping (ReactSide); Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT); Step Test;
Single-Limb Squat; before and after an injection of hypertonic saline into the
right gluteus medius muscle (Group-1) or approximately 5min rest (Group-2).
Balance measures included the range and standard deviation of centre of pressure
(CoP) movement in mediolateral and anterior-posterior directions, and CoP total
path velocity (ReactSide, Squat); reach distance (SEBT);
and number of completed
steps (Step Test). Data were assessed using three-way analysis of variance. Motor
outcomes were altered during the second repetition of tasks irrespective of
exposure to experimental hip muscle pain or rest, with reduced SEBT anterior
reach (-1.2+/-4.1cm, P=0.027); greater step number during Step Test (1.5+/-1.7
steps, P<0.001); and slower CoP velocity during Single-Limb Squat
(-4.9+/-9.4mms-1, P=0.024). Factors other than the presence of pain may play a
greater role in balance impairments in middle-aged adults with hip pathologies.
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