Hip adduction and abduction strength profiles in elite and sub-elite female soccer players according to players level and leg limb-dominance.

Abstract

Abstract Background It is well established that isometric hip strength assessment represents an important part of the clinical examination of the hip and groin pain. In this sense, adduction:abduction ratio could be an interesting variable to consider. Little is known about hip adduction and abduction strength profiles in female soccer players. The aim of this study was to describe and compare the isometric hip adduction and abduction strength profiles and adduction:abduction ratio in elite and sub-elite female soccer players.Methods A descriptive-comparative study was designed. Eighty-four female soccer players were evaluated. Isometric hip-adduction and abduction strength were measured using a hand held dynamometer.Results Female elite and sub-elite soccer players displayed a mean and standard deviation (SD) on isometric hip-adductor strength for dominant (3.19 Nm/kg ± 0.69 vs. 2.40 Nm/kg ± 0.67) and non-dominant leg (3.32 Nm/kg ± 0.76 versus 2.42 Nm/kg ± 0.70), respectively. For isometric hip-abductor strength in elite and sub-elite players, a mean and SD of dominant (2.86 Nm/kg ± 0.56 vs. 2.07 Nm/kg ± 0.50) and non-dominant (2.80 Nm/kg ± 0.59 vs. 2.04 Nm/kg ± 0.43). In essence, elite players were stronger than sub-elite players on isometric hip-adduction (mean difference [MD] = 0.82 Nm/kg, CI95%= 0.42–1.12) and abduction (MD = 0.83 Nm/kg, CI95%= 0.54–1.12) both in dominant and non-dominant, leg, whereas no differences existed for hip adduction:abduction ratios between groups and legs.Conclusions Elite female athletes were stronger than sub-elite female players in hip adduction and abduction, whereas adduction:abduction ratio values did not differ between groups and legs.