A practitioner’s guide to isometric hip adduction and abduction test selection: maximal force, asymmetry, and muscle activity comparisons between assessment positions

Key Points

1. Significant differences exist between testing positions when evaluating hip abduction and adduction isometric strength - specifically maximal force, asymmetries and muscle activity.

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BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

Isometric strength assessment is common across high performance sport (1). There are a variety of tools and methods which may be used to assess hip strength. The variability in equipment and testing methods can lead to confusion and false conclusions as values are inaccurately interpreted or compared as part of a single assessment or as part of a longitudinal monitoring process.

The objective of the study was to compare: 1) maximal hip adduction (ADD) and abduction (ABD) strength, 2) inter-limb asymmetry and 3) muscle activity, in five commonly used assessment positions with variable joint-angle combinations and location of force applications.

Isometric strength assessment is common across high performance sport.

Selecting an appropriate testing position to include adductor and abdominal muscle activity is essential.

METHODS

20 healthy male ice hockey players from one team were tested during preseason. All players had at least 10 years of experience in the sport and at least four years of formal strength and conditioning programming.

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