The HipSIT Test, or Hip Stability Isometric Test, measures posterolateral hip force output in a combined hip position. It is commonly used to assess the hip abductors, external rotators and extensors in a controlled isometric setup. This can provide useful context for running, jumping, cutting, squatting, landing, lower-limb control, sport preparation and progress tracking.
The Muscle Meter is used to measure force output during the test. When used on its own, the Muscle Meter primarily measures peak force, which is the highest force value produced during the effort. When used with Measurz, Muscle Meter data can be recorded and analysed with broader strength and force-time metrics, including peak force, impulse, torque, rate of force development, time to peak and fatigue index.
For routine HipSIT testing, peak force is usually the main metric. Force as a percentage of body weight may be useful if directly calculated from the client’s test force and body weight, especially for baseline comparison, side-to-side comparison and retesting. Rate of force development and time to peak may be useful when rapid hip force production matters, such as sprinting, cutting, landing or change-of-direction tasks. Impulse is only useful when a defined force-time window is intentionally tested. Fatigue index is only relevant if repeated or sustained HipSIT contractions are part of the protocol.
The result can support assessment reasoning and progress tracking, but it does not diagnose hip pain, knee pain, pelvic control problems, running injury risk, ACL injury risk or readiness for sport or work on its own.
The HipSIT Test is an isometric force assessment of the posterolateral hip musculature. The client is positioned so the hip muscles work in a combined position rather than as one isolated movement.
The test is designed to challenge hip abduction, external rotation and extension contribution. This makes it useful when professionals want a practical hip strength measure that may be more functionally relevant than testing hip abduction alone.
The Muscle Meter is positioned so the client pushes into the device without visible movement. The aim is to measure force output in a repeatable test position.
Consistent setup matters because hip angle, knee position, device placement, stabilisation, strap setup, body position and client effort can all affect the result. This test measures force output in a specific setup. It does not fully measure running mechanics, landing control, balance, sport performance, movement quality or injury risk on its own.
Prepare the client
Explain that the test measures how strongly they can push through the hip into the Muscle Meter in a controlled position.
Record baseline symptoms, hip stiffness, knee symptoms, low back symptoms, fatigue, recent training and confidence with the test.
Use at least one submaximal practice trial so the client understands the effort and position.
Set the client position
Use the HipSIT position selected for your protocol and repeat it exactly at retest.
Record:
body position
hip angle
knee angle
trunk position
foot position
side tested
whether the opposite limb is supported
whether shoes are worn
Set up the Muscle Meter
Place the Muscle Meter at the agreed contact point for the HipSIT setup.
For improved repeatability, use a strap-stabilised or fixed setup where possible. If the professional holds the device manually, record this because handheld scores may be influenced by professional strength and stability.
Place the device or strap
Position the device so the client pushes in the intended HipSIT direction without sliding, twisting or compressing an uncomfortable bony area.
Record device placement clearly so it can be repeated.
Stabilise the position
Stabilise the pelvis, trunk and limb position so the client does not compensate with trunk rotation, pelvic movement, lumbar extension, knee movement or foot pushing.
Give clear instructions
Use consistent instructions such as:
“Push into the device as hard as you can and hold.”
“Build up smoothly, then push hard.”
“Keep your pelvis and trunk still.”
“Keep breathing.”
“Tell me if you feel pain, cramping or anything unusual.”
Record trials
Use 1–2 practice trials, then record 2–3 maximal trials.
A common contraction duration is 3–5 seconds.
Rest for 30–60 seconds between trials, or longer if symptoms, cramping or fatigue occur.
Record whether the final score uses the best trial or average of recorded trials.
Identify invalid trials
Repeat or mark a trial as invalid if:
the device slips
the strap or anchor moves
the trunk rotates
the pelvis lifts or shifts
the knee or foot position changes
the client pushes through the wrong contact point
pain limits effort
the client starts before the device is ready
the professional cannot hold the device steady
Record symptoms
Record pain, cramping, hip discomfort, knee symptoms, low back symptoms, confidence and apprehension.
For retesting, match the same position, device placement, instructions, contraction duration, rest period, scoring method and symptom recording.
The HipSIT Test is used to quantify posterolateral hip force output in a repeatable setup.
It may be useful for:
baseline hip strength assessment
side-to-side comparison
monitoring change over time
tracking lower-limb strength after reduced loading
assessing hip force contribution in running and landing contexts
strength profiling for field sport, court sport, gym and running clients
workplace or daily function context where hip control matters
client education
comparing hip strength with balance, hop testing, gait, running analysis or lower-limb performance
The test should support assessment reasoning. It should not be used as a stand-alone diagnostic or clearance measure.
The test primarily measures isometric posterolateral hip force in the chosen setup.
It may provide useful information about:
hip abductor force contribution
hip external rotator force contribution
hip extensor force contribution
side-to-side force difference
confidence producing hip force
pain response during resisted hip loading
change in force over time
relationship between hip strength and related functional tasks
It does not directly measure:
isolated gluteus medius strength
isolated gluteus maximus strength
isolated hip external rotation strength
hip range of motion
running gait quality
landing mechanics
balance
injury risk
readiness to return to sport or work
A higher score may suggest greater posterolateral hip force output in that specific setup. A lower score may suggest reduced force output, but the reason should be interpreted carefully.
Lower force may be influenced by pain, apprehension, poor familiarisation, fatigue, previous injury, guarding, poor stabilisation, inconsistent device placement or reduced confidence.
One result should not be interpreted in isolation. Interpretation is strongest when the same setup is repeated over time and reviewed alongside symptoms, confidence, movement quality, related tests and functional goals.
Important influences include:
pain
apprehension
poor familiarisation
fatigue
guarding
hip angle
knee angle
trunk position
pelvis movement
device placement
strap angle
footwear
professional strength if handheld
client confidence
Published HipSIT reference values exist in some specific populations, including athletic and CrossFit-related cohorts, but they should be used only when the protocol and population match closely.
For routine Measurz use, the most useful comparisons are:
the client’s own baseline
right versus left comparison
change across retests
pain or symptom response
confidence during testing
relationship to related strength and performance tests
bodyweight-normalised force if directly calculated
A side-to-side difference of around 10% or more is often worth reviewing more closely in strength testing, especially if it matches symptoms, previous injury, confidence changes or functional differences. This should not be used as a strict pass/fail rule.
Reference values provide context, not diagnostic or clearance cut-offs.
Use this order:
compare with the client’s own baseline
compare right and left sides when relevant
consider symptoms during and after testing
consider confidence and effort quality
review whether compensations were present
compare with related strength, mobility or performance tests
relate the result to running, sport, gym, work or daily-life demands
retest under the same conditions to monitor change
do not use reference values as pass/fail criteria
Use for maximum HipSIT force output, baseline strength, side-to-side comparison, progress tracking and comparing force across retests.
Look for best score or average score, consistent setup, side-to-side difference, change from baseline, pain response and compensation during maximal effort.
Use only when calculated directly from test force and body weight.
Look for changes over time and side-to-side differences. Do not treat it as a universal target unless the comparison data use the same method.
Use only when lever arm is measured and a more biomechanical interpretation is needed.
Torque may help when contact point or limb length changes the raw force reading. It should not be used as normative data unless the reference data match the setup closely.
Use when rapid hip force production matters, such as sprinting, cutting, landing, acceleration or reactive lower-limb tasks.
Look for early force production and whether RFD changes while peak force stays similar.
Use to understand whether force is produced quickly or gradually.
Look for delayed peak force, faster time to peak across retests, and whether a slower time reflects caution, pain, poor cueing or an actual performance difference.
Use only if a sustained force window is intentionally tested.
Look for whether the client can sustain force briefly and whether impulse improves while peak force stays similar.
Use only if repeated or sustained HipSIT contractions are part of the protocol.
Look for drop-off across repeated trials, symptom-related fatigue and whether fatigue improves across a training block.
Consider growth, maturation, coordination, attention, training age and familiarisation. Practice trials are important because young clients may improve quickly once they understand the task.
Use the test for baseline strength, progress tracking and confidence with hip loading. Compare results with hip mobility, lower-limb strength, balance and general exercise goals.
Consider balance, transfers, walking confidence, fatigue, rest periods and function. A lower score may provide useful context, but it should not be interpreted without functional assessment.
Consider sprinting, cutting, jumping, landing and repeated change-of-direction demands. Peak force alone does not equal sport performance, but it can support a broader lower-limb strength profile.
Consider walking surfaces, stairs, lifting, carrying, prolonged standing and repeated squatting or stepping. Do not use one strength score to clear work duties.
Use the test to monitor force output, confidence and symptom response over time. Strength alone should not confirm readiness.
Pain, fear, guarding, fatigue, apprehension and confidence may influence force. Record symptoms carefully and compare with related findings.
Absolute force and force relative to body mass may both be useful. Avoid assumptions and interpret the result in relation to goals, symptoms and function.
Repeatability improves when the same setup is used each time.
Record and standardise:
same test position
same device placement
same strap setup, if used
same anchor height and distance, if straps are used
same hip and knee position
same trunk position
same stabilisation
same instructions
same contraction duration
same rest period
same scoring method
same symptom and compensation recording
Published HipSIT research supports its use as a practical assessment of posterolateral hip muscle performance, but protocol consistency remains essential.
Handheld dynamometry and strap-stabilised strength testing can be reliable when protocols are standardised. However, manual resistance can be limited by professional strength, especially with stronger clients. Strap-stabilised or fixed setups can improve consistency when available.
Common errors include:
inconsistent device placement
changing hip or knee position
allowing trunk rotation
allowing pelvis movement
poor stabilisation
device slipping
strap or anchor movement
breath holding
testing through high pain
comparing different protocols directly
treating the score as a diagnosis
Limitations include:
testing is setup-dependent
manual resistance may be limited by professional strength
strap setup requires careful anchor control
Muscle Meter-specific universal norms may be limited
pain, fear or guarding can reduce force output
peak force does not measure endurance or movement quality
side-to-side symmetry does not automatically mean function is ready for sport or work
The HipSIT Test may be useful for:
establishing a baseline
tracking posterolateral hip strength over time
comparing right and left sides
reviewing force relative to body weight if directly calculated
monitoring response to exercise or intervention
supporting running, jumping and change-of-direction reasoning
comparing with hip abduction strength, hip external rotation strength and lower-limb performance
educating the client about measurable progress
reviewing sport, work or daily-life demands
If force is low on both sides, consider assessing hip ROM, lower-limb strength, balance, squat capacity, gait, running mechanics and confidence with loading.
If one side is much lower, compare with symptoms, injury history, hip mobility, knee symptoms, single-leg balance, hop testing and functional tasks.
If pain limits the result, record the pain response and review whether the test position, pressure point or effort level needs modification.
If force is good but function is limited, compare with gait, running, hopping, change-of-direction, balance and sport or work demands.
If the client is improving, keep the same protocol and monitor whether strength, symptoms, confidence and function improve together.
Position: Standardised HipSIT position
Start position: Hip, knee, trunk and pelvis position recorded
Joint or trunk angle: Record hip angle, knee angle and trunk position
Trials: 1–2 practice trials, then 2–3 recorded trials
Contraction duration: 3–5 seconds
Rest: 30–60 seconds between efforts
Metric: Peak force, plus percentage of body weight only if directly calculated
Attachment or device setup: Muscle Meter placed at the agreed contact point; strap-stabilised if used
Final score: Best trial or average of trials
Key retesting requirement: Same position, device placement, instructions, contraction duration, rest and scoring method
It measures isometric posterolateral hip force output in a specific HipSIT setup.
No. HipSIT uses a combined position and should not be treated as identical to isolated hip abduction testing.
It can be if calculated directly from test force and body weight. Use it for baseline and side-to-side comparison rather than as a universal target.
Published HipSIT reference values exist for some populations, but universal Muscle Meter norms for every setup are limited. Use matched data only when the protocol and population are comparable.
No. It can measure hip force output, but it does not diagnose the cause of symptoms on its own.
Small changes in device placement can change the force reading. Record the placement and repeat it at retest.
Different device placement, hip position, stabilisation, fatigue, pain, compensation and inconsistent instructions can affect results.
Record side, position, device placement, peak force, percentage of body weight if directly calculated, symptoms, compensations, confidence, scoring method and related findings.
The HipSIT Test measures isometric posterolateral hip force output.
Peak force is usually the main routine Muscle Meter metric.
Percentage of body weight should only be used when calculated directly from force and body weight.
Baseline comparison, side-to-side comparison and retesting consistency are usually more useful than broad norms.
Reference values provide context, not diagnostic or clearance cut-offs.
Measurz should capture setup, symptoms, bodyweight-normalised values where directly calculated, compensations and retesting conditions.
Baldon, R. de M., Piva, S. R., Scattone Silva, R., Serrão, F. V., & Serrão, F. V. (2017). Reliability and validity of the Hip Stability Isometric Test. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 47(12), 906–913.
Santos, T. R. T., et al. (2024). Hip Stability Isometric Test (HipSIT): Concurrent validity and reference values for CrossFit participants. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy.
Silva, R. S., Nakagawa, T. H., Ferreira, A. L. G., Garcia, L. C., Santos, J. E. M., & Serrão, F. V. (2020). Concurrent validation and reference values of gluteus medius clinical test. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, 15(1), 75–83.
Thorborg, K., Petersen, J., Magnusson, S. P., & Hölmich, P. (2010). Clinical assessment of hip strength using a handheld dynamometer is reliable. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 20(3), 493–501.
