The Hip Adduction Strength Test measures the maximum isometric force produced during hip adduction with the hip flexed to 90°. Using the Anker, the assessment provides an objective and repeatable measure of hip adductor strength in a standardised position.
The hip adductors play an important role in lower-limb stability, pelvic control, force transfer during walking and running, and maintaining frontal plane alignment during single-leg activities. Measuring hip adduction strength may assist with baseline strength assessment, side-to-side comparison and monitoring changes throughout an exercise or performance programme.
When used with Measurz, the Anker records peak force and can also calculate force relative to body weight, impulse, torque (when the lever arm is entered), rate of force development, time to peak and fatigue index.
The assessment quantifies muscle force only and should always be interpreted alongside symptoms, movement quality and functional performance.
The Hip Adduction Strength Test is an isometric assessment performed with the hip and knee flexed to 90°. The client attempts to draw the testing leg towards the midline by pushing against the Anker while maintaining a stable pelvis and trunk.
The primary muscles assessed include:
Adductor magnus
Adductor longus
Adductor brevis
Gracilis
Pectineus
These muscles contribute to pelvic stability, lower-limb control and force generation during running, cutting, kicking and changes of direction.
Testing at 90° hip flexion alters the contribution of individual adductor muscles compared with testing in neutral, making this position useful when profiling strength across different hip angles.
Explain that the assessment measures how strongly they can pull their leg towards the body's midline without allowing their pelvis or trunk to move.
Record any:
groin pain
hip pain
lower abdominal pain
recent injury
previous surgery
neurological symptoms
stiffness
fatigue
Allow one or two practice contractions before maximal testing.
Seat the client with:
hips flexed to 90°
knees flexed to 90°
pelvis positioned evenly against the backrest
trunk upright
thighs fully supported
feet relaxed
Maintain identical positioning during every reassessment.
Ensure:
both femurs remain parallel
the patella faces forwards
the knees remain level
the pelvis remains square
Position the Anker load cell against the medial aspect of the distal femur, approximately 5 cm proximal to the medial femoral epicondyle.
Avoid positioning directly over the knee joint.
Using the distal femur provides a consistent lever arm and improves repeatability between testing sessions.
Prevent movement of:
pelvis
trunk
opposite thigh
lumbar spine
The movement should occur only as an isometric hip adduction effort.
Use consistent verbal cues.
"Bring your leg towards the middle."
"Increase the pressure smoothly."
"Push as hard as you can."
"Hold."
"Keep breathing."
Maintain identical cueing during every reassessment.
Use:
1–2 familiarisation trials
2–3 maximal trials
3–5 second contractions
30–60 seconds recovery
Record either:
the highest force value, or
the average of the recorded trials
Apply the same scoring method at every reassessment.
the pelvis rotates
the trunk leans
the opposite leg assists
the testing thigh lifts
the knee changes position
the load cell slips
pain limits maximal effort
the client begins before instructed
The Hip Adduction Strength Test may be useful for:
baseline hip strength assessment
side-to-side comparison
monitoring changes over time
groin strength profiling
athlete performance assessment
monitoring response to exercise
objective reporting using Measurz
educating clients about measurable progress
The assessment contributes to a broader assessment process and should not be used as a stand-alone diagnostic tool.
The primary outcome is peak isometric hip adduction force.
When analysed in Measurz, additional metrics may include:
Peak force
Force relative to body weight
Impulse
Torque
Rate of force development
Time to peak
Fatigue index
The assessment does not directly measure:
hip joint mobility
adductor tendon integrity
movement quality
balance
sporting performance
readiness to return to activity
Higher force values generally indicate greater hip adductor strength in the testing position.
Lower force values may reflect:
groin pain
hip pain
fatigue
reduced effort
previous injury
poor familiarisation
inconsistent positioning
movement compensation
Interpret the assessment by considering:
previous assessment results
left versus right limb differences
symptoms during testing
compensatory movement
sport, work or daily-life demands
Published Anker-specific normative values are currently unavailable.
Hip adduction strength has been extensively assessed using handheld dynamometry, particularly in athletic populations. Research consistently demonstrates excellent reliability when testing positions and lever arms are standardised. Rather than comparing absolute force values between different devices, clinicians should prioritise comparisons with the client's own baseline and repeated assessments performed using the same protocol.
A side-to-side difference of approximately 10% or greater may warrant further investigation, particularly when accompanied by pain, reduced confidence or functional limitations.
Youth
Use additional familiarisation trials and interpret results relative to age, maturation and sporting participation.
Adults
Useful for baseline strength assessment and monitoring progress over time.
Older adults
Interpret alongside walking ability, balance, transfers and functional independence.
Athletes
Particularly useful for sports involving sprinting, kicking, skating, rapid acceleration and changes of direction.
Clients with persistent symptoms
Interpret alongside pain, confidence, movement quality and functional capacity rather than muscle strength alone.
Common errors include:
pelvic rotation
trunk lean
lifting the testing thigh
inconsistent knee position
inconsistent load cell placement
pushing through the foot rather than the thigh
inconsistent verbal cueing
Limitations include:
results are specific to the testing position
pain may reduce maximal force production
muscle strength alone does not determine function
published Anker-specific normative values remain limited
The assessment may be useful for:
establishing baseline adductor strength
monitoring changes following exercise
comparing left and right limbs
lower-limb performance profiling
athlete monitoring
objective reporting within Measurz
educating clients using measurable outcomes
It measures maximal isometric hip adduction strength with the hip flexed to 90°.
Hip position changes muscle length, mechanical advantage and muscle contribution. Assessing multiple positions may provide a more complete picture of adductor strength.
Peak force is the primary outcome measure for routine testing.
Yes. Bilateral assessment provides meaningful side-to-side comparison and improves progress monitoring.
No. It measures muscle force only and should be interpreted alongside symptoms, clinical assessment and other physical tests.
Measures maximal isometric hip adduction strength with the hip flexed to 90°.
Primarily assesses the adductor muscle group.
Peak force is the primary routine outcome measure.
Measurz provides additional force-time metrics when used with the Anker.
Consistent client positioning, load cell placement and cueing improve repeatability.
Baseline comparison and repeated testing are generally more valuable than broad population norms.
Bohannon, R. W. (1997). Reference values for extremity muscle strength obtained by hand-held dynamometry from adults aged 20 to 79 years. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 78(1), 26–32.
Mentiplay, B. F., Perraton, L. G., Bower, K. J., Adair, B., Pua, Y. H., Williams, G. P., McGaw, R., & Clark, R. A. (2015). Assessment of lower limb muscle strength and power using hand-held and fixed dynamometry: A reliability and validity study. PLOS ONE, 10(10), e0140822.
Thorborg, K., Bandholm, T., Hölmich, P., et al. (2011). Hip adduction and abduction strength profiles in athletes using handheld dynamometry. British Journal of Sports Medicine.
