The Hip Abduction Strength Test measures the maximum isometric force produced during hip abduction with the hip positioned at approximately 45° of flexion. Using the Anker, the assessment provides an objective and repeatable measure of hip abductor strength in a standardised mid-range position.
Assessing hip abduction at 45° complements testing performed at 0° and 90° of hip flexion, as muscle recruitment and mechanical advantage change throughout the range of motion. This assessment is useful for baseline strength profiling, side-to-side comparison and monitoring changes over time.
The primary muscles assessed include the gluteus medius, gluteus minimus and tensor fasciae latae, with assistance from the upper fibres of gluteus maximus depending on the individual's hip position and anatomy. These muscles contribute to pelvic stability, frontal plane control, single-leg support, walking, running, jumping and change-of-direction activities.
When used with Measurz, the Anker records peak force and can calculate additional metrics including 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 measures muscle force only and should always be interpreted alongside symptoms, movement quality and functional performance.
The Hip Abduction Strength Test is an isometric assessment where the client attempts to move the testing leg away from the body's midline while the hip is positioned at approximately 45° of flexion.
The 45° position places the hip abductors in a different mechanical position compared with neutral or 90° hip flexion. Assessing multiple positions may help identify position-specific strength deficits and provide a more complete lower-limb strength profile.
The fixed resistance of the Anker allows the assessment to be reproduced consistently when client positioning, hip angle, anatomical landmarks and verbal instructions remain unchanged.
Explain that the assessment measures how strongly they can push their leg away from the body's midline while keeping their pelvis and trunk still.
Record any:
lateral hip pain
groin pain
buttock pain
lower back pain
recent injury
previous surgery
stiffness
neurological symptoms
fatigue
Complete one or two submaximal familiarisation contractions before maximal testing.
Position the client according to the Anker setup, maintaining:
hip flexed to approximately 45°
knee comfortably flexed if required by the setup
pelvis level
trunk supported
opposite limb positioned symmetrically
testing limb relaxed before the contraction
Maintain the same setup during every reassessment.
Ensure:
the pelvis remains square
the femur is aligned with the hip joint
the patella faces forwards
the knee remains aligned with the thigh
Position the Anker load cell against the lateral aspect of the distal femur, approximately 5 cm proximal to the lateral femoral epicondyle.
Avoid positioning directly over the knee joint or lateral femoral epicondyle.
Using the distal femur creates a consistent lever arm and improves repeatability between testing sessions.
Prevent movement of:
pelvis
trunk
lumbar spine
opposite limb
testing thigh position
The effort should come from the hip abductors rather than trunk lean or pelvic rotation.
Use consistent verbal cues.
"Push your leg away from the middle."
"Build the pressure gradually."
"Push as hard as you can."
"Hold."
"Keep breathing."
Repeat the same instructions during every reassessment.
Use:
1–2 familiarisation trials
2–3 maximal trials
3–5 second contraction
30–60 seconds rest between trials
Record either:
the highest force value, or
the average of the recorded trials
Use the same scoring method during future assessments.
the pelvis rotates
the trunk leans
the testing thigh lifts
the opposite limb assists
the hip angle changes
the load cell slips
pain limits maximal effort
the client begins before instructed
The Hip Abduction Strength Test may be useful for:
establishing baseline hip strength
comparing left and right limbs
monitoring strength across different hip positions
lower-limb strength profiling
athlete performance assessment
monitoring response to exercise
objective progress tracking using Measurz
educating clients about measurable progress
The assessment contributes to a comprehensive physical assessment and should not be used as a stand-alone diagnostic or return-to-sport test.
The primary outcome is peak isometric hip abduction force with the hip positioned at approximately 45° of flexion.
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
tendon pathology
movement quality
balance
gait mechanics
readiness for sport or work
Higher force values generally indicate greater hip abductor strength in the tested position.
Lower force values may reflect:
pain
fatigue
previous injury
reduced confidence
inconsistent positioning
poor familiarisation
movement compensation
Interpret results by considering:
previous assessment results
left versus right differences
symptoms during testing
movement compensations
sport, occupational and daily-life demands
Published Anker-specific normative values are currently unavailable.
Hip abduction strength has been widely investigated using handheld dynamometry, with studies demonstrating excellent reliability when testing position, stabilisation and lever arm are standardised. Because protocols vary between studies, baseline measurements, side-to-side comparison and repeated testing using the same setup are generally more meaningful than comparing absolute values with external reference data.
A side-to-side difference of approximately 10% or greater may warrant further investigation, particularly when associated with symptoms, previous injury or reduced functional performance.
Youth
Use additional familiarisation trials and interpret findings relative to growth, coordination and physical development.
Adults
Useful for baseline assessment, strength profiling and monitoring changes over time.
Older adults
Interpret alongside walking ability, balance, transfers and functional independence.
Athletes
Particularly useful for sports requiring single-leg stability, sprinting, jumping, cutting, landing and rapid 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 leaning
lifting the testing thigh
changing the hip angle during testing
inconsistent load cell placement
pushing with the foot instead of abducting from the hip
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
hip abduction assessments performed at different angles should be interpreted independently
The assessment may be useful for:
establishing baseline hip abductor strength
monitoring changes over time
comparing left and right limbs
assessing strength across multiple hip positions
athlete monitoring
objective reporting using Measurz
educating clients using measurable outcomes
It measures maximal isometric hip abduction strength with the hip positioned at approximately 45° of flexion.
Testing at 45° provides a mid-range assessment that complements testing performed at 0° and 90°, helping identify position-specific differences in force production.
No. Hip angle influences muscle length, mechanical advantage and force production, so each position should be interpreted independently.
Peak force is the primary outcome measure for routine assessment.
Yes. Bilateral assessment provides meaningful side-to-side comparison and improves progress monitoring.
No. It measures muscle force only and should always be interpreted alongside symptoms and other assessment findings.
Measures maximal isometric hip abduction strength with the hip positioned at approximately 45°.
Complements hip abduction testing performed at 0° and 90°.
Primarily assesses the gluteus medius, gluteus minimus and tensor fasciae latae.
Peak force is the primary routine outcome measure.
Consistent positioning, load cell placement and cueing improve repeatability.
Baseline comparison, side-to-side 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 assessment using handheld dynamometry in athletic populations. British Journal of Sports Medicine.
