Strength Endurance Test: Adductor Raise Test

Hip adductor capacity is important for running, sprinting, kicking, cutting, change of direction, skating, field sport and repeated lower-limb loading.

Adductor Raises provide a practical way to assess adductor strength endurance using minimal equipment. The test can be modified depending on the client’s capacity, using a bent-knee, short-lever or long-lever Copenhagen-style setup.

The result should be interpreted as an adductor endurance and capacity measure, not as a standalone diagnostic test for groin pain. Stronger interpretation comes from side-to-side comparison, baseline comparison, symptoms, movement quality, lever length and related hip strength or functional tests.

Quick Summary

• Test name: Adductor Raise Test
• Alternative names: Adductor Raises, Copenhagen Adduction Test, Copenhagen Adductor Raise, Copenhagen Side Plank Adduction Test
• Category: Hip adductor strength endurance
• Primary score: Number of valid repetitions
• Optional scores: Hold time, lever length, symptoms, movement quality, side-to-side difference
• Best suited to: Field sport athletes, runners, cutting athletes, gym clients and lower-limb progress monitoring
• Key limitation: Lever length, support height, trunk control, cadence and symptoms strongly influence results

Equipment Required

• Exercise bench, box or stable support surface
• Exercise mat
• Stopwatch or Measurz stopwatch
• Optional Measurz metronome to standardise cadence
• Optional Measurz rep counter to count valid repetitions
• Optional Measurz AR measurement to document support height or setup
• Optional inclinometer or video measurement if trunk or hip angle is being tracked
• MAT tools such as Anker, Gripper or Muscle Meter for related hip adduction, abduction or lower-limb isometric strength testing
• Measurz platform for recording side, repetitions, setup, symptoms, compensations and retest comparison

Step-by-Step Protocol

1. Select the appropriate variation: short-lever, bent-knee or long-lever Copenhagen-style adductor raise.
2. The client lies side-on to a bench or stable support.
3. The top leg is placed on the bench or support.
4. The lower leg starts underneath the body.
5. The client supports themselves on the forearm or hand, depending on the chosen variation.
6. The client lifts the pelvis into a side plank position.
7. The lower leg raises upward toward the top leg using hip adduction.
8. The lower leg lowers under control without resting heavily on the floor.
9. Continue at a consistent cadence until task failure.
10. Stop when the client cannot maintain pelvic position, cannot complete the required range, loses control, reports intolerable symptoms or chooses to stop.
11. Record valid repetitions for each side.

Scoring and Interpretation

Record:

• Left repetitions
• Right repetitions
• Dominant and non-dominant side
• Side-to-side difference
• Variation used
• Lever length
• Support height
• Cadence
• Pelvic control
• Trunk control
• Pain or symptoms
• Compensations
• Reason for stopping

A higher repetition count generally suggests better adductor strength endurance under that protocol.

However, interpretation should consider:

• long-lever versus short-lever variation
• support height
• client body mass
• trunk strength
• shoulder support tolerance
• cadence
• adductor symptoms
• groin symptoms
• pelvic control
• fatigue
• previous exposure to the exercise

Side-to-side comparison is often more useful than a single universal cut-off.

Normative Data, Benchmarks or Reference Values

There are no universally accepted normative repetition values for Adductor Raises across all populations.

Research on the Copenhagen Adduction Exercise supports its use as a high-demand hip adductor exercise, especially in field sport and groin-injury prevention contexts. Recent research has also explored strength-related measurement during the Copenhagen adduction task, suggesting that this task can be quantified when measurement methods are standardised.

Because repetition scores vary greatly depending on variation, lever length and cadence, the most useful comparisons are usually:

• left versus right
• baseline versus retest
• short-lever versus long-lever progression
• symptom response
• quality of pelvic and trunk control
• relationship to isometric hip adduction strength
• relationship to sport or running demands

Practical Field Guide

Use these broad field ranges only when the same Copenhagen-style variation, cadence and setup are used:

Long-Lever Adductor Raise

• Excellent: 15+ controlled repetitions each side
• Good: 10–14 repetitions
• Moderate: 6–9 repetitions
• Developing: 3–5 repetitions
• Low current adductor endurance profile: under 3 repetitions

Short-Lever or Bent-Knee Variation

• Excellent: 20+ controlled repetitions each side
• Good: 15–19 repetitions
• Moderate: 8–14 repetitions
• Developing: 4–7 repetitions
• Low current adductor endurance profile: under 4 repetitions

These are practical field categories, not diagnostic cut-offs.

A side-to-side difference greater than approximately 10–20% may be worth monitoring, especially if it aligns with symptoms, sport demands, reduced confidence or related strength findings.

Reliability and Validity

Adductor Raises are based on the Copenhagen Adduction Exercise, which has been widely studied as a high-intensity adductor exercise.

Evidence supports the Copenhagen Adduction Exercise as a useful exercise for targeting hip adductors, particularly adductor longus activity and eccentric hip adduction strength. Sport research has also examined its role in groin injury risk-reduction programmes.

As a field test, reliability improves when:

• the same variation is used
• lever length is standardised
• support height is recorded
• cadence is standardised
• valid repetition criteria are clear
• symptoms are recorded
• pelvic and trunk position are monitored
• the same stopping rules are used

Validity depends on the purpose. Repetition-based Adductor Raises reflect adductor endurance and trunk-pelvis control under a bodyweight side-plank task, but they are not a pure isolated hip adductor strength measure.

For a stronger profile, combine the test with:

• isometric hip adduction strength
• adductor squeeze testing
• hip abduction strength
• lateral plank endurance
• change-of-direction tasks
• running or sport-specific load history

Common Errors and Limitations

Common errors include:

• using different lever lengths between tests
• allowing the pelvis to drop
• rotating the trunk
• pushing excessively through the upper leg
• counting partial repetitions
• changing cadence
• using an unstable bench
• ignoring shoulder or trunk fatigue
• testing through groin pain without appropriate caution
• comparing short-lever and long-lever results directly

Limitations include:

• high strength demand
• shoulder and trunk support can limit performance
• technique strongly affects score
• not suitable for every painful presentation
• no universal repetition norms
• lever length changes difficulty substantially
• symptoms may limit performance before adductor fatigue
• not a standalone diagnostic test for groin pain

Practical Applications

The Adductor Raise Test can help:

• assess hip adductor endurance
• compare left and right sides
• monitor progress over time
• guide adductor strengthening progressions
• support groin capacity profiling
• assess readiness for higher adductor loading
• monitor field sport and running clients
• compare endurance with isometric strength findings

It is especially useful for clients involved in:

• football
• soccer
• rugby
• hockey
• basketball
• tennis
• running
• skating
• martial arts
• change-of-direction sports

How to Record This in Measurz / MAT

In Measurz / MAT, record:

• test name
• side tested
• repetitions
• variation used
• lever length
• support height
• cadence
• pain score
• symptoms
• pelvic control
• trunk rotation
• range quality
• compensations
• reason for stopping
• retest date

The Measurz stopwatch can record total test time if needed. The Measurz metronome can standardise cadence, and the rep counter can help count valid repetitions consistently.

Measurz AR measurement can support setup consistency by recording bench height or body position references. MAT tools such as Anker, Gripper or Muscle Meter can add related isometric hip adduction or lower-limb strength data for a more complete profile.

Related Tests or Internal Links

• Hip Adduction Strength
• Adductor Squeeze Test
• Hip Abduction Strength
• Side Plank Test
• Copenhagen Adduction Hold
• Single-Leg Balance
• Hop Tests
• Change of Direction Tests
• Isometric Groin Strength
• Running Gait Checklist

FAQs

What does the Adductor Raise Test measure?

It measures hip adductor strength endurance and trunk-pelvis control during a Copenhagen-style side plank task.

Is this the same as the Copenhagen Adduction Exercise?

It is closely related. The test version uses the Copenhagen-style movement as a measurable repetition or endurance task.

Should both sides be tested?

Yes. Side-to-side comparison is highly useful.

What is a good score?

This depends on the variation. For long-lever Adductor Raises, 10–15+ controlled repetitions may suggest good to excellent field endurance, but context and protocol matter.

Can this test diagnose groin pain?

No. It can support adductor capacity assessment, but it does not diagnose groin pain or identify the exact cause of symptoms.

What if the shoulder fatigues first?

Record it as the reason for stopping. Shoulder or trunk support can limit performance and should be considered in interpretation.

Should this be done with a metronome?

A metronome can improve repeatability. If used, record the cadence.

Is the long-lever version suitable for everyone?

No. Many clients should begin with a short-lever or bent-knee variation before progressing to the long-lever version.

Key Takeaways

• The Adductor Raise Test measures hip adductor endurance and trunk-pelvis control.
• It is commonly performed using a Copenhagen-style setup.
• Variation, lever length, support height and cadence strongly influence results.
• Side-to-side comparison is often more useful than a universal cut-off.
• Symptoms and reason for stopping should always be recorded.
• Measurz can track repetitions, cadence, setup, symptoms and retest progress.
• MAT strength tools can add related isometric strength data for a more complete profile.

References

Harøy, J., Clarsen, B., Wiger, E. G., Øyen, M. G., Serner, A., Thorborg, K., Hölmich, P., Andersen, T. E., & Bahr, R. (2019). The Adductor Strengthening Programme prevents groin problems among male football players: A cluster-randomised controlled trial. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 53(3), 150–157. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2017-098937

Light, N., Thorborg, K., Behan, S., et al. (2025). Measuring eccentric hip adductor strength during the Copenhagen adduction exercise: A test-retest reliability study. Physical Therapy in Sport. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ptsp.2025.03.001

Moreno-Pérez, V., Travassos, B., Calado, A., Gonzalo-Skok, O., Del Coso, J., & Mendez-Villanueva, A. (2020). Adductor squeeze test and groin injuries in elite football players: A prospective study. Physical Therapy in Sport, 45, 54–59.

Schaber, M., Guiser, Z., Brauer, J., et al. (2021). The neuromuscular effects of the Copenhagen Adductor Exercise: A systematic review. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, 16(5), 1210–1221. https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.27975

Serner, A., Jakobsen, M. D., Andersen, L. L., Hölmich, P., Sundstrup, E., & Thorborg, K. (2014). EMG evaluation of hip adduction exercises for soccer players: Implications for exercise selection in prevention and treatment of groin injuries. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 48(14), 1108–1114. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2012-091746