A review of current literature on the relationship between lifetime physical activity, specific physical activities and hip osteoarthritis (OA) will be conducted. Through this review we hope to find articles that support our hypothesis that the interaction of specific physical activities and femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) results in cartilage damage and hip pain. The project leader is Carolyn Emery who is a physiotherapist with a clinical practice specializing in sport medicine with the Department of Sports Medicine, University of Calgary.

A number of non-invasive physical examination techniques can be used to assess for pain and restricted range of motion in the hips of people with FAI. The purpose of the Hip Examination Reliability Study is to determine which of these physical exam techniques can be in a reliable manner by rheumatologists and physiotherapists.

This study will look at the prevalence of FAI in three populations in Canada: Caucasian, Chinese (low prevalence of OA), and Aboriginal Peoples (potentially high prevalence of OA) and will determine if the prevalence in the three populations differs. Given that hip OA is almost none existent in the Chinese population and quite high in Aboriginal Peoples then we expect the Chinese population will have a lower prevalence of FAI compared to the Caucasian and Aboriginal populations. Researchers will also look at how FAI is identified using physical assessments and x-rays. In addition, the team will determine the health care costs related to hip pain in these three populations. The project leader is Linda Li, a clinical epidemiologist and Associate Professor, Department of Physical Therapy, University of British Columbia.

A case-control group from the prevalence study will be used to study the role of specific types of physical activity, the presence of FAI and the interaction of the two on chronic hip pain. This project will provide definitive evidence of the link of physical activity and FAI to chronic hip pain. The project leader is Jacek Kopec, an epidemiologist, Professor, School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia.

A standing MRI, one of the first in Canada, will be used to assess impingement with hip motion. Researchers will study whether specific motions cause impingement in those with and without hip deformity (FAI) and whether this is linked to hip pain. This new technology means participants can perform weight-bearing activities while the hip is scanned. The project leader is David Wilson, a biomechanical engineer, Associate Professor, Division of Orthopaedic Engineering Research, University of British Columbia and Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute. Dr. Wilson is experienced in developing new MRI-based methods to assess joint mechanics.

A Caucasian cohort with and without FAI will be established with comprehensive assessments, including clinical evaluation, x-ray, MRI and biomarkers. This will allow researchers to follow-up with participants at specified intervals to further the understanding of the link between physical activity, FAI and hip pain. The project leader is Jolanda Cibere, epidemiologist, rheumatologist and Assistant Professor, Division of Rheumatology Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia.

A communication strategy has been created with the goal of building awareness for the IMPAKT-HiP study so that the results are used to prevent and detect hip disease and provide better care. The objective is to bridge the gap between the research and its use by practitioners and the public. We plan to accomplish this by engaging the public and stakeholders from the early stages of the study. This team is led by Linda Li and supported by Liz Verhoeve a communications consultant.

The MRI team will support the Biological Mechanism of Impingement study by developing and validating the new hip imaging and image analysis techniques required. Led by David Wilson, the team will also refine imaging protocols and analysis methods required for hip dGEMRIC and MRI-based analysis of bone shape needed to be used in the Natural History of FAI study.

This is a statistical team led by a senior biostatistician, Hubert Wong that will work with each of the studies to help design the study, identify and develop appropriate statistical methods and supervise the statistical analysis.