About this trial
This study is focused on helping athletes with a common hip condition called femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) syndrome. FAI syndrome occurs when abnormal bone shapes around the hip joint cause friction during movement, leading to pain, reduced performance, and, over time, more serious injury. While this issue is well-studied in male professional athletes, little is known about how it affects female and collegiate athletes, or how to prevent it from worsening.
In this study, athletes diagnosed with FAI syndrome will participate in a 12-week in-season exercise program designed to reduce pain, improve hip strength and movement, and help prevent further injury-all while continuing their regular sports training.
Participants will be randomly assigned to either:
* An exercise group (receiving the intervention), or * A time-and-attention control group (regular check-ins and education).
At the end of the study, the control group will have the option to access the exercise program.
The study will track changes in pain, physical performance, injury recurrence, and athlete satisfaction with the program. This research aims to improve how we manage hip injuries in athletes and help keep them active during the competitive season.
Eligibility criteria
Qualifiers
currently identifies as a "competitive athlete" based on the LTAD
aged 14-40
be free from any significant lower extremity injury (hip, groin, knee, ankle foot) in the past 6 months that resulted in >1 months of time loss or current inability to fully participate in sport at the time of baseline testing
Disqualifiers
Are currently experiencing or recovering from a lower extremity injury that resulted in >1 month time lost within the past 6 months
are pregnant or may become pregnant during the study (due to radiographic imaging exposure)
* participants will be excluded from eligibility of RCT if they have evidence of moderate to severe osteoarthritis on imaging (Tönnis grade 2-3)
Trial design
Treatments tested in this trial
- Progressive Hip Strengthening Program
- Progressive Muscle Relaxation