Hip Adduction and Abduction Strength Values in NCAA Division I American Football Players: Strength Values and a Comparison Across Position Groups

Objectives: To report hip adduction, abduction, and adduction:abduction strength ratio values in NCAA Division I American football players, and to compare strength values across position groups.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: University training facility.

Participants: 85 male football players.

Main Outcome Measures: Isometric hip adduction and abduction strength values in the 0° hip-flexion long-lever and 0° hip-flexion short-lever testing positions, using a ForceFrame.

Results: Hip strength values are presented across two testing positions. ANOVA revealed significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) in hip strength between position groups, with medium-to-large effect size (n = 0.116-0.284). Skill-position and mid-position players demonstrated significantly greater hip adduction and abduction relative strength in both testing positions, when compared to lineman-position players. In addition, skill-position and mid-position players demonstrated significantly greater hip adduction:abduction strength ratios (0.19-0.20, 24-25%) in the long-lever testing position, when compared to lineman-position players, with large effect size (n = 0.178). No significant differences in strength were observed between skill-position and mid-position players. Hip adduction:abduction strength ratios ranged from 0.68 to 0.88 in the long-lever testing position and 1.05 to 1.09 in the short-lever testing position.

Conclusion: Significant differences in relative strength exist between position groups of NCAA Division-I football players, in hip adduction, abduction and adduction:abduction ratio.