Objective: To examine the reliability of clinical techniques for testing hip abductor and adductor muscle performance.
Design: Repeated measures.
Setting: Academic laboratory.
Participants: A sample of 21 healthy subjects (12 men, 9 women) between 22 and 31 years of age.
Interventions: Not applicable.
Main outcome measures: Reliability of repeated measures was estimated by calculating intraclass correlation coefficients. Torque production capability was calculated by multiplying force output obtained with a hand-held dynamometer by the length of the resistance lever arm.
Results: The reliability of abduction testing was greatest in the long-lever condition. Adduction test reliability was greatest in the long-lever condition with bench stabilization. The maximal hip abduction torque tested in the long-lever position was significantly greater (t(20)=9.21, P<.001) than that in the short-lever position. The maximal hip adduction torque occurred using a long lever for resistance application and a bench to stabilize the nontest leg (F(1,20)=15.64, P=.001).
Conclusions: Muscle performance testing of hip abductors and adductors with a hand-held dynamometer can be performed with good to excellent intratester and intertester reliability. Hip abduction testing is best performed with a long lever. Hip adduction is best performed with a long lever and a bench to stabilize the nontest extremity.