# Does Pelvic Tilt Angle Influence the Isokinetic Strength of the Hip and Knee Flexors and Extensors?

## TL;DR

This study found that an anterior pelvic tilt increases hip extensor strength during isokinetic testing compared to neutral or posterior tilt positions.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates that pelvic tilt angle affects hip extensor peak torque and strength ratios during isokinetic movements.

## Key findings

- Peak hip extensor torque was significantly greater in the anterior pelvic tilt condition compared to neutral or posterior tilt.
- Hip flexor-to-extensor torque ratio decreased in the anterior pelvic tilt position.
- Pelvic tilt had no significant effect on knee flexor or extensor peak torques.

## Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of pelvic tilt angle on maximum hip and knee muscles’ strength and antagonist/agonist strength ratios. Twenty-one young males and females performed maximum isokinetic concentric knee extension–flexion and hip extension–flexion efforts at 60°·s−1, 120°·s−1, and 180°·s−1 from three positions: anterior, neutral, and posterior pelvic tilt. Peak torques and knee flexor-to-extensor and hip flexor-to-extensor torque ratios were analyzed. An analysis of variance showed that peak hip extensor torque was significantly greater in the anterior pelvic tilt condition compared to either neutral or posterior pelvic tilt angles (p > 0.05). No effects of changing pelvic tilt angle on hip flexor, knee flexor, or knee extension values were found (p > 0.05). The hip flexor-to-extensor torque ratio decreased (p < 0.05) in the anterior pelvic tilt position relative to the other positions, while no difference in the knee flexor-to-extensor ratio between pelvic positions was observed (p > 0.05). This study shows that an increased anterior pelvic tilt affects the maximum isokinetic strength of the hip extensors, supporting previous suggestions regarding the link between pelvic position and hip and knee muscle function. Isokinetic testing from an anterior pelvic tilt position may alter the evaluation of hip flexion/extension strength.