Face start and hip position

For field hockey players, the groin and hip region is more likely to become injured due to over usuage. During the various ice skating movements, a lot of force is deployed in the hip. This is also the case when a player makes a start on the ice. This technical aspect is frequently taught in young field hockey players to improve technique and explosion. When going forward, the hip is moved into two risky positions that would increase the likelihood of a brace (the attachment of different structures around the joint) at the hip.

Indeed, this is what is described by Justin D. Stull and his team, who analyzed the starts of peewee players. First, the first position is at risk during abduction and external rotation of the hip, or at the end of the push. Then, the second position may occur during the recovery phase while the hip joint is in flexion and internal rotation. It is also reported that the risk of injury associated with hip brace be partly related to the biomechanics of skating and potentially to the exposure of ice time, mainly at a young age (1).

An interesting result of the study is that not all the players who performed a hip adduction had a problem during the recovery phase (1). Such a difference can be explained by the variety of morphology between the players and the level of technical skills of each person. The flexion, adduction and internal rotation is described as being a risk for a brace (2) could have adverse effects if repeated many times. In short, the biomechanics of skating before a dead start can have a great influence on performance, but also on the probability of injury.

It is important to question current practices for sport. Completely eliminating this technical gesture is probably not the solution. By cons, considering the few times when the forward skating from a static position is used in game situations, we may question our methods and techniques of current teachings. To maximize the effectiveness of training and health of young field hockey players, coaches and physical trainers should avoid excessive amplitudes of ice movements specifically in technical gestures that are not used in game situation.

Written by Maxime Provencher, M. Physiotherapy

References:
1. Stull JD, Philippon MJ, LaPrade RF. At risk positioning and hip biomechanics of the pee wee ice hockey sprint start. Am J Sports Med. 2011 Jul;39 Suppl:29S-35S.
2. Rylander L & al. Femoroacetabular impingement and acetabular labral tears. Orthopedics. 2010 May. Vol,33. issue 5: 342-350.