When it comes to testing hip strength, how and where we test makes a big difference. A recent study by Dr. Stacey Hardin has shown that the position your body is in—and where the force is applied—can change your results quite a bit.
Why Hip Testing Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All
Hip strength testing is commonly used in both sports and rehab settings. But it turns out that not all testing positions are created equal. Dr. Hardin looked at five different ways of testing hip strength in elite male hockey players, and here’s what she found…
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- Stronger Results in Certain Positions
Tests done while seated or lying down with the hips bent at 45° showed the highest strength. Tests done with the force applied lower down at the ankles (especially one leg at a time) showed less strength. This means if we test in different positions, we might get very different numbers, even with the same person.
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- Which Muscles Are Working?
Some testing positions get certain muscles working more than others. For example, one position that involved pressing from the ankles while lying down made both the inner thigh (adductors) and core muscles light up. That’s especially useful when we’re checking recovery after a groin or abdominal injury.
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- Spotting Imbalances
Some positions can make differences between your left and right sides more obvious. That’s helpful if we’re trying to spot imbalances, but could be misleading if not used carefully.
There’s no single “best” testing position—it depends on your goal. That’s why it’s important your physiotherapist chooses the right method based on your specific needs, whether that’s injury prevention, performance, or rehab.
At Back to Health Physio, we stay up-to-date with the latest research (like this study) to make sure our assessments are as accurate and meaningful as possible. The better we test, the better we can treat.
If you want to book a session with one of our skilled physios today, click below. You can also contact our team at [email protected] or call us on 9997 4970. We look forward to hearing from you.
