The Hip Adduction Test measures how far the leg can move toward and across the midline. It is useful for tracking hip mobility, comparing sides and adding context to gait, lateral movement, groin loading and lower-limb assessment.
A client may feel restricted during lateral movement, crossover steps, kicking, skating-style movement or change-of-direction tasks. The Hip Adduction Test provides a simple way to record how much adduction ROM is available and whether it changes over time.
The MAT article describes the client lying supine, with the opposite knee bent to make room for the testing leg. The device is placed midway on the femur, and the client adducts the hip across the midline before pelvic deviation occurs. It lists at least 20 degrees as a practical target.
Test name: Hip Adduction Test
Purpose: Assess hip adduction range of motion
What it assesses: Ability to move the leg toward/across the midline
Equipment: Measurz inclinometer or equivalent inclinometer
Key finding: Hip adduction angle in degrees
Best used with: Hip abduction, hip rotation, adductor strength/endurance and lateral movement testing
Key limitation: Pelvic movement and opposite-leg setup can affect results
The Hip Adduction Test measures how far the femur moves toward and across the midline in the chosen test position.
It is used to assess baseline hip adduction mobility, compare sides and add context to groin, lateral movement and change-of-direction assessments.
It measures hip adduction ROM in degrees. It does not measure adductor strength, groin pain source, pelvic control or change-of-direction ability.
Active hip adduction is measured when the client moves the limb. Passive adduction may be measured when the movement professional assists. Record the method and use it consistently.
Field sport athletes, court sport athletes, dancers, gym clients, adductor/groin monitoring and lower-limb mobility tracking.
Measurz inclinometer, table or mat, Measurz app, and notes for side, active/passive method, pain and pelvic compensation.
Position the client supine. Bend the opposite knee to create space for the testing leg. Place the device midway along the femur. Ask the client to adduct the hip toward and across the midline as far as controlled before pelvic deviation begins. Save the measurement in Measurz. Passive testing may be used if recorded consistently.
Record adduction ROM in degrees. The MAT article lists at least 20 degrees as a practical reference for hip adduction.
A lower score should be interpreted with symptoms, groin loading history, abduction ROM, hip rotation, adductor strength and movement findings.
Evidence level: Level 2, related or closest available reference values.
Use at least 20 degrees as a practical MAT reference. Do not treat this as a universal threshold.
For hip ROM measurement, consistency of pelvis position, device placement and assessor technique is essential. Recent studies on clinical goniometry and smartphone tools show that measurement error and inter-rater variability should be considered when interpreting change.
Common errors include pelvic rotation, not bending the opposite knee, inconsistent device placement, crossing too far with trunk compensation and interpreting ROM as adductor strength.
Use this test to monitor hip adduction ROM, compare sides and add context to groin loading, lateral movement and agility testing.
Record side, adduction angle, active/passive method, pain score, symptom location, opposite-leg position, pelvic deviation, comparison side and related adductor strength/endurance findings.
Hip Abduction Test
Single-Leg Adductor Plank
Copenhagen-style Adductor Tests
Supine Hip Internal Rotation Test
Lateral Lunge Assessment
505 Agility Test
It measures how far the leg can move toward and across the midline.
The MAT article lists at least 20 degrees as a practical target.
No. It measures ROM only.
It creates room for the testing leg to move across the midline without unnecessary obstruction.
The Hip Adduction Test measures medial hip ROM.
Opposite-leg setup matters.
Pelvic movement must be controlled.
Record active/passive method.
Interpret with groin strength and movement findings.
Charlton, P. C., et al. (2022). Clinical reliability and usability of smartphone goniometers for hip range of motion measurement. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 34(6), 424–431.
Kiatkulanusorn, S., et al. (2023). Analysis of the concurrent validity and reliability of five common clinical goniometric devices. Scientific Reports, 13, 20915.
Fraeulin, L., et al. (2020). Intra- and inter-rater reliability of joint range of motion tests using tape measure, digital inclinometer and inertial motion capturing. PLOS ONE, 15(12), e0243646.
