Sex Differences in Hip Adduction to Abduction Strength Ratios and Pelvic Tilt in Soccer Players

Authors

• Thomas L. Johannessen III, Hofstra UniversityFollow
• Katie Sell, Hofstra UniversityFollow
• Emmalee Mikulis, Hofstra University
• George Gilbert, Hofstra University
• Christina Leek, Hofstra University
• Michael Dietz, Hofstra University
• Matthew Delarosa, Hofstra University
• Emily Salgado, Hofstra University
• Justin Bentivegna, Hofstra University
• Ofra Pottorf, Hofstra University

Abstract

Hip strength is a crucial biomechanical attribute that helps optimize sprint performance and pelvic tilt alignment (PTA) in soccer players. Research suggests that athletes with adductor to abductor hip strength (ADD:ABD) ratios below 1.0 or imbalances in ADD:ABD ratios between dominant (D) and non-dominant (ND) limbs have an increased risk of groin injury. However current research on such ratios in soccer players is limited. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine hip ADD:ABD ratios and PTA in the D and ND limbs in Division I male and female soccer players (MSOC and WSOC, respectively). METHODS: Twenty-four MSOC players (20.8 ± 2.0 y, 183.3 ± 6.3 cm, 79.2 ± 8.0 kg) and 19 WSOC players (20.5 ± 1.6 y, 169.2 ± 5.0 cm, 64.5 ± 6.2 kg) completed assessments of hip ADD and ABD bilaterally using a handheld dynamometer. PTA was taken using a caliper and digital inclinometer. Sex-based differences were analyzed using independent t-tests and within team comparisons between D and ND limb scores were analyzed using paired t-tests. Analyses were conducted using SPSS version 31 (IBM Corp) with an alpha significance of p < 0.05. RESULTS: MSOC had significantly higher ADD on the D and ND limb (p < 0.05) compared to WSOC, but no significant difference was observed in ABD or ADD:ABD ratios between the two teams (p > 0.05). In WSOC players the ND limb had significantly higher ADD:ABD ratios (0.95 and 1.04 for D and ND limb, p < 0.05) and significantly lower PTA (7.0 and 4.2 degrees in the D and ND limb, p < 0.05) compared to the D leg. ADD:ABD ratios were not significantly different in MSOC or WSOC that had reported a lower extremity (LE) injury in the last 12 months compared to those that did report a LE injury. In MSOC there were no significant differences in ADD:ABD ratios between the D and ND legs (1.05 in both the D and ND limb, p > 0.05), but in goalkeepers, PTA for the D limb was significantly higher compared to other positions, and higher in forwards compared to defenders (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The asymmetries and low ADD:ABD ratio for the D limb seen in WSOC in these findings suggest WSOC had a greater tendency for adductor weakness relative to ABD strength in the D limb compared to MSOC. Future research is needed to explore if these trends increased risk for LE injury.

Recommended Citation

Johannessen, Thomas L. III; Sell, Katie; Mikulis, Emmalee; Gilbert, George; Leek, Christina; Dietz, Michael; Delarosa, Matthew; Salgado, Emily; Bentivegna, Justin; and Pottorf, Ofra (2026) "Sex Differences in Hip Adduction to Abduction Strength Ratios and Pelvic Tilt in Soccer Players," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 15: Iss. 8, Article 10.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol15/iss8/10