INTRODUCTION

Our question is to determine the effects of forward and backward leg raises on the trunk and support leg. These two movements, although similar in nature, result in different movements of the trunk and support leg. Noting differences between the two movements would be helpful in determining appropriate therapeutic exercises, especially for the injured or aging populations. For example, in some therapeutic exercise regimes, leg raises may be an alternative method to promote high loads at the hip (Costigan et al., 1999). For instance, both would be helpful for increasing the range of motion in the hip joint. The forward leg raise would be a good exercise to increase hip flexor strength, which would be beneficial in the recovery of injuries to the hip and knee. It would help to minimize back pain as well. Where as doing backward leg raises as part of a preventive exercise regime, would improve strength of the hip extensors and the back, decreasing the chance of injury.

Our purpose was to see whether the forward or backward leg raise produced a greater torque about the hip joint, and its implications. We videotaped each individual movement multiple times to observe the trends in motion. The subject did leg raises in the upright position using the non-dominant leg. Using a computerized coordinate system we will measure the differences and analyze the results.