Motion capture and surface electromyography was performed on 15 runners with iliotibial band syndrome and 15 gender, age and body mass index matched controls. Average muscle activation was compared for the gluteus medius, gluteus maximus and tensor fasciae latae muscles. Kinematics were compared for hip adduction and knee adduction. Modified Thomas test was used to assess rectus femoris length. The six-inch step down test was performed to assess eccentric control in lowering of the body on one leg. Injured runners demonstrated increased knee adduction compared to control runners at 30 minutes. Tensor Fasciae Latae muscle activation in injured runners was increased compared to control runners at three minutes. Step down test performance was signficantly worse in the injured runner. The research contributed kinematic, electromyography and function test findings in combination as possible factors related to iliotibial band syndrome. In conclusion, runners with iliotibial band syndrome exhibited both increased knee adduction and increased muscle activation int eh tensor fasciae latae muscle. This finding establishes a connection between neuromuscular control of a hip muscle and abnormal kinematics in the knee runners with iliotibial band syndrome.
