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.

What Is the Hip Adduction Strength Test?

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.

Step-by-Step Protocol

1. Prepare the client

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.

2. Position the client

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.

3. Position the testing limb

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.

4. Stabilise the client

Prevent movement of:

• pelvis
• trunk
• opposite thigh
• lumbar spine

The movement should occur only as an isometric hip adduction effort.

5. Testing instructions

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.

6. Record the assessment

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.

7. Repeat the trial if

• 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

Why It Is Used

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.

What It Measures

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

Understanding the Result, Reference Values and What to Look For

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.

Assessing Different Client Populations

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 and Limitations

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

Practical Applications

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

FAQs

What does the Hip Adduction Strength Test measure?

It measures maximal isometric hip adduction strength with the hip flexed to 90°.

Why assess hip adduction at different hip angles?

Hip position changes muscle length, mechanical advantage and muscle contribution. Assessing multiple positions may provide a more complete picture of adductor strength.

Which metric should be used routinely?

Peak force is the primary outcome measure for routine testing.

Should both hips be assessed?

Yes. Bilateral assessment provides meaningful side-to-side comparison and improves progress monitoring.

Can this assessment diagnose groin injuries?

No. It measures muscle force only and should be interpreted alongside symptoms, clinical assessment and other physical tests.

Key Takeaways

• 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.

References

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.