Normal hip strength and range of motion values in youth and adult female national football teams: Data from 504 assessments

Abstract

Objectives: To determine normal hip adduction- and abduction strength and range of motion (ROM) values for youth and adult female national team football players, and evaluate if increasing age, playing position and leg dominance were associated with these strength and ROM values. Design: Cohort study. Setting: National football center. Participants: 344 unique asymptomatic female football players. Main outcome measures: Hip internal/external rotation (°), Bent Knee Fall Out test (cm), hip adduction/abduction strength(N) and ratio, and normalised hip adduction/abduction torque (Nm/kg). Results: A total of 504 assessments were performed. A total of 107 players underwent two (n = 67), three (n = 27) or four (n = 13) assessments. Mean peak hip adduction strength was 39% greater in 20 + Y old players 170 (±53 N) than in 13Y old players 122 (±28 N). Normalised hip adduction torque was 9% greater: 2.5 (±0.8Nm/kg) versus 2.3 (±0.5Nm/kg). A positive association between age and all strength measurements was found, while a negative association between age and hip external rotation and total hip rotation was found. No clinically relevant differences were found for the associations between playing position, leg dominance and hip strength- and ROM values. Conclusion: Normal values for hip strength and range of motion in youth and adult female national football players are presented that can be used as clinical reference values.