Self-Reported Level of Sports Compared With Objective Data in Athletes With Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) is common among ice hockey and soccer players. To evaluate the prevalence of return to sports after hip arthroscopy or level of sports before surgery, self-reported questionnaires such as the Hip Sports Activity Scale (HSAS) are frequently used. There is a risk of self-reporting bias when using these tools.

PURPOSE: To evaluate how self-reported levels of sports using HSAS correspond to objective data.

STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study, Level of evidence: 3.

METHOD: Ice hockey and soccer players undergoing hip arthroscopy for FAIS between 2011 and 2019 and included in the local hip arthroscopy registry in Gothenburg, Sweden, aged ≥18 years at the time of surgery, with a self-reported HSAS level of 7 or 8 before onset of symptoms, were included. Objective data on level of sports were collected through sports-specific sources (https://football.instatscout.com, https://hockey.instatscout.com, https://www.eliteprospects.com, and Swedish Football Association). Objective data were collected for the corresponding season when the athletes reported their symptom onset. Agreement between subjective and objective data was described using descriptive statistics, and comparison between subgroups was made.

RESULTS: A total of 483 athletes met the inclusion criteria: 80 ice hockey and 403 soccer players. The majority were men (90%). The mean age was 26.5 years (SD, 8.3 years). When comparing HSAS level with objective data, 112 athletes (23%) had a correct self-reported HSAS level. Of 251 athletes with a self-reported HSAS level of 8, 76 (30%) had a matching objective HSAS level, and 36 of 232 (16%) athletes with a self-reported HSAS level of 7 had a matching objective HSAS level. Of the erroneous subjective ratings, 98% were higher than the objective data. Athletes reporting a correct HSAS level were younger (24.6 vs 26.4 years; P = .04) and had a shorter symptom duration (18 vs 24 months; P < .001). Ice hockey players scored themselves correctly more often than soccer players ( P < .001).

CONCLUSION: Only 23% of athletes undergoing hip arthroscopy for FAIS self-reported an HSAS level before onset of symptoms that was accurate according to the objectively recorded data. The majority self-reported an HSAS level above their correct level of sports. Ice hockey players, younger age, and shorter symptom duration were associated with correct self-assessment.