Comparison of isokinetic hip abduction and adduction peak torques and ratio between sexes.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate hip abductor and adductor peak torque outputs and compare their ratios between sexes. DESIGN A cross-sectional laboratory-controlled study. SETTING Participants visited a laboratory and performed an isokinetic hip abductor and adductor test. All participants performed 2 sets of 5 repetitions of concentric hip abduction and adduction in a standing position at 60 degrees per second. Gravity was determined as a function of joint angle relative to the horizontal plane and was corrected by normalizing the weight of the limb on an individual basis. PARTICIPANTS A total of 36 collegiate athletes. INDEPENDENT VARIABLES Sex (20 females and 16 males). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Bilateral peak hip abductor and adductor torques were measured. The 3 highest peak torque values were averaged for each subject. RESULTS Independent t tests were used to compare sex differences in hip abductor and adductor peak torques and the abductor:adductor peak torque ratios. Males demonstrated significantly greater hip abductor peak torque compared with females (males 1.29 ± 0.24 Nm/kg, females 1.13 ± 0.20 Nm/kg; P = 0.03). Neither hip adductor peak torque nor their ratios differed between sexes. CONCLUSIONS Sex differences in hip abductor strength were observed. The role of weaker hip abductors in females deserves further attention and may be a factor for higher risk of knee pathologies.