Femoral acetabular impingement syndrome (FAI syndrome) is a common cause of hip pain in young to middle-aged adults and is associated with a higher risk of developing osteoarthritis in the hip joint at a younger age.

Research led by Professor Joanne Kemp at La Trobe University examined the outcomes of two different exercise-based, physiotherapist-led interventions for FAI syndrome. The results suggest that exercise in general is a factor in improving quality of life for people with FAI syndrome rather than a particular type of exercise.

The Physiotherapy Research Foundation (PRF) has summarised key messages from the research study’s findings featured in the October 2026 edition of InMotion and produced this infographic.

Click on the image below to access a printable A3 file:

This infographic is a Physiotherapy Research Foundation (PRF) initiative.

About the Authors:

Professor Joanne Kemp FACP is a physiotherapist and researcher at La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre at La Trobe University.

Dr Mark Scholes MACP is a physiotherapist and researcher at La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre and a lecturer in the Department of Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Prosthetics and Orthotics at La Trobe University.

Dr Anne Smith is a research professor in the School of Allied Health, Faculty of Health Sciences and enAble Institute for Health Science, Curtin University.

Dr Sally Coburn APAM is a physiotherapist and researcher at La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre at La Trobe University.

Dr Richard Johnston APAM is a physiotherapist and researcher at La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre at La Trobe University.

Dr Denise Jones MACP is a physiotherapist and researcher at La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre at La Trobe University and Allied Health Research and Knowledge Translation Lead at Barwon and South West Healthcare.

Dr Michael Girdwood APAM is a physiotherapist and researcher at La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre at La Trobe University.

Dr Matthew King is a physiotherapist and researcher in the Department of Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Prosthetics and Orthotics at La Trobe University

Dr Benjamin Mentiplay is a sports scientist and researcher at La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre at La Trobe University.

Associate Professor Danilo De Oliveira Silva is a physiotherapist and researcher at La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre at La Trobe University.

Dr Marcella Pazzinatto is a physiotherapist and researcher at La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre at La Trobe University.

Dr Anthony Schache APAM is a physiotherapist and researcher at La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre at La Trobe University.

Diogo A Gomes is a physiotherapist and PhD candidate at La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre at La Trobe University.

Georgia Coburn is a researcher at La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre at La Trobe University.

Professor Kay Crossley FACP is the director of the La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre at La Trobe University.