ISAKOS: 2023 Congress in Boston, MA USA

2023 ISAKOS Biennial Congress ePoster

 

Impact of Training on Hip Function in Elite Nordic Skiers

Kinjal Vasavada, BA UNITED STATES
Keir A. Ross, New York, NY UNITED STATES
Dhruv S Shankar, BS, New York UNITED STATES
Amanda Avila, MPH UNITED STATES
Scott Buzin, DO, New York, NY UNITED STATES
Isabella Jazrawi, BA, New York, NY UNITED STATES
Cordelia Carter, Westport, CT UNITED STATES
Andrew L. Chen, MD, Franconia, NH UNITED STATES
Lauren E Borowski, MD, New York, New York UNITED STATES
Heather Milton, Masters, New York, New York UNITED STATES
Guillem Gonzalez-Lomas, MD, New York, NY UNITED STATES

NYU Langone Health Department of Orthopedic Surgery, New York, New York, UNITED STATES

FDA Status Not Applicable

Summary

The objective of this study was to investigate training and physiologic factors specific to Nordic ski athletes that may contribute to hip pathology and to compare outcomes in Nordic ski jumping (SJ) and Nordic combined (NC) ski.

ePosters will be available shortly before Congress

Abstract

Introduction

Nordic ski athletes are at increased risk of developing hip pain and dysfunction and numerous studies have identified associations between training frequency, duration, and intensity and femoroacetabular impingement. The objective of this study was to investigate training and physiologic factors specific to Nordic ski athletes that may contribute to hip pathology and to compare outcomes in Nordic ski jumping (SJ) and Nordic combined (NC) ski.

Methods

Elite SJ and NC skiing athletes who compete at the international and national level were prospectively recruited at the time of preseason testing. Athletes were excluded from the study if they had hip surgery within the past two years. All athletes were asked to complete a survey of demographic data, information about athletic and training history, and to complete the Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS). The sub-scores of the HOOS were analyzed individually. The SJ and NC groups were compared, with statistical significance set at p<0.05.

Results

Of the 24 athletes in the study, 13 participated exclusively in SJ (54%) while 11 participated in NC skiing (46%). There were no significant differences in age, sex, BMI, or age of menarche between the two groups (p>0.05). Average training hours per week (24.4 versus 21.4), total months of training, age of first participation in competitive skiing, and age of specialization in skiing type were not statistically different (p>0.05). There were significantly decreased HOOS sub-scores in functional hip symptoms, quality of life, and sports/recreational outcomes in SJ compared to NC skiers (p<0.05).

Discussion And Conclusion

There was poorer hip function and more hip symptoms in SJ versus NC skiers despite the quantity of total training being similar between the two sports. The heavy focus on repetitive plyometric training in jumpers compared to more varied training regimens in NC skiers may contribute to the poorer hip sub-scores found in SJ athletes. Results of the present study may help guide physicians, allied health personnel, and coaches to alter training regimens to decrease risk of injury.