The Hip Adduction Test measures how far the thigh moves toward or across the body’s midline. It can be assessed actively or passively using a goniometer, inclinometer or consistent ROM workflow. The result helps compare sides and track change in hip movement, especially when interpreted alongside pain, strength, balance, gait and lateral movement findings.
A client may feel restricted during crossover movements, lateral lunges, cutting tasks or side-lying mobility work. Another client may show a difference in how each hip moves across the body.
The Hip Adduction Test helps quantify this movement. It should be performed with careful pelvic control because pelvic rotation or trunk side-bending can make adduction appear larger than it is.
Test name: Hip Adduction Test
Purpose: Measure hip adduction range of motion
Movement: Thigh moving toward or across midline
Joint/body region: Hip
Plane: Frontal plane
ROM type: Active ROM, passive ROM or both
Score: Degrees of hip adduction
Equipment: Goniometer, inclinometer or Measurz ROM recording workflow
Best used with: Hip abduction, hip strength, single-leg balance, lateral lunge, running and cutting assessment
Key limitation: Pelvic rotation and trunk compensation can affect the result
The Hip Adduction Test measures movement of the thigh toward or across the body’s midline. It may be measured in supine, side-lying or standing depending on the clinical goal.
The chosen setup should be repeated consistently because body position changes the result.
The test is used to establish baseline movement, compare sides and monitor change.
It may help inform:
Hip mobility programming
Lateral movement assessment
Running and cutting mechanics
Balance and single-leg control
Hip strength interpretation
Progress tracking across sessions
The test measures hip adduction ROM in degrees.
It may be influenced by:
Hip joint movement
Lateral hip tissue tolerance
Pelvic position
Trunk movement
Pain or symptoms
Warm-up
Testing position
Measurement method
Client control
The result does not explain the cause of movement difference on its own.
Active hip adduction measures how far the client can move the thigh toward or across midline using their own control.
Passive hip adduction measures how far the hip can move when guided by the professional.
Record active and passive values separately because they can differ due to control, strength, symptoms or available motion.
This test may be useful for field sport athletes, dancers, runners, gym clients, older adults and clients where lateral hip movement, cutting, balance or crossover movement is relevant.
Goniometer or inclinometer
Treatment table or mat
Pain scale
Measurz for recording ROM
Optional strap or belt for pelvic control
Optional comparison side notes
Position the client supine or in the selected standardised position.
Keep the pelvis level and stable. The opposite leg may need to be positioned out of the way depending on the protocol.
Stand beside the tested limb with a clear view of pelvis and trunk.
Start from neutral hip position.
Stabilise the pelvis to minimise pelvic rotation or trunk side-bending.
For active ROM, ask the client to move the leg inward or across the body as far as comfortably possible.
For passive ROM, gently guide the hip into adduction until the first firm endpoint, symptom limit or compensation threshold.
For goniometry, commonly align the axis near the anterior superior iliac spine of the tested side, stationary arm toward the opposite anterior superior iliac spine and moving arm along the anterior femur toward the patella.
If using an inclinometer, place it consistently on the thigh or selected segment. Record placement.
Ask about lateral hip stretch, groin symptoms, pinching, stiffness, symptom location and whether symptoms are familiar.
Stop if pelvic movement dominates, pain increases, symptoms are not tolerated or the client guards.
Record active/passive method, side, degrees, pain score, symptom location, test position, device used and compensation.
One to three trials may be used. Record the chosen scoring method consistently.
Use the same position, device, landmarks, stabilisation and endpoint each session.
The score is recorded in degrees.
A higher value means more hip adduction under the tested setup. A lower value means less hip adduction compared with the other side or baseline.
Interpretation is stronger when paired with:
Pain score
Symptom location
Side-to-side comparison
Active versus passive comparison
Hip abduction ROM
Hip adduction strength
Gait or lateral movement findings
Balance findings
The result does not explain the cause of movement difference by itself.
Evidence level: Level 2–3 — common reference values exist, but protocol-specific interpretation matters.
Common teaching references often describe hip adduction around 20–30 degrees, depending on testing method. These values should be used as broad references only.
Practical benchmarks:
Compare both sides
Track baseline to retest
Compare active and passive ROM
Record pelvic compensation
Record pain or symptoms
Interpret with strength and movement findings
Hip ROM measurement reliability depends on standardised technique, pelvic control and device consistency. A 2025 systematic review of lower-limb ROM reliability found that measurement reliability varies by joint, tool and method, reinforcing the need for a repeatable protocol rather than visual estimation.
Smartphone goniometry research has also reported clinical reliability for hip ROM measurement when standardised, but results should be compared using the same device and method over time.
Common errors include pelvic rotation, trunk side-bending, inconsistent opposite-leg position, poor landmarking, forcing passive range, ignoring pain and comparing active/passive values without labelling them.
Limitations include measurement error, body position differences, symptoms, warm-up effects, device variation and endpoint definition.
Use hip adduction ROM to track medial movement capacity, compare sides and add context to lateral movement, cutting, running, balance, groin loading and hip strength programming.
In Measurz, record baseline hip adduction ROM in degrees using the inclinometer or chosen device. Note active or passive method, side tested, pain score, symptom location, test position, device used and pelvic or trunk compensation.
Compare both sides and track progress across sessions. Add related hip strength, balance, gait, running or lateral movement findings and retest date.
Hip Abduction Test
Hip Internal Rotation Test
Hip External Rotation Test
Adductor Squeeze Test
Single-Leg Balance Test
Lateral Lunge Assessment
Running Assessment
Cutting Assessment
Common references often describe hip adduction around 20–30 degrees, but values vary by position, method, symptoms and pelvic control.
Use a goniometer or inclinometer while moving the thigh toward or across midline and stabilising the pelvis.
Both can be useful. Active ROM reflects controlled movement, while passive ROM reflects available motion when guided.
Pelvic rotation or trunk movement can make adduction appear larger than true hip movement.
Use the same position, device, landmarks, stabilisation and endpoint each session.
Hip adduction ROM measures movement toward or across midline.
Pelvic and trunk compensation should be controlled or recorded.
Active and passive values should be labelled separately.
Side-to-side comparison is often practical.
Measurz should capture degrees, side, pain, method, position and compensation.
Clarkson, H. M. (2020). Musculoskeletal assessment: Joint range of motion, muscle testing, and function (4th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.
Kim, J. H., et al. (2022). Clinical reliability and usability of smartphone goniometers for hip range of motion measurement. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 34(5), 346–352.
Milanese, S., et al. (2025). Reliability of range of motion measurements obtained by goniometry, photogrammetry and smartphone applications in lower limb joints: A systematic review. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 42, 793–802.
