Comparison of Hip Adduction to Abduction Strength and Pelvic Alignment in Baseball and Softball Athletes

Authors

• Andrew W. Zalot, Hofstra UniversityFollow
• Nicole McCrea, Hofstra University
• Anayah Accely, Hofstra University
• Christian Vargas, Hofstra University
• Aiden Wolf, Hofstra University
• Gabriella Sultan, Hofstra University
• Angelo Salomon, Hofstra University
• Lily Yepez, Hofstra University
• Ofra Pottorf, Hofstra University
• Katie Sell, Hofstra UniversityFollow

Abstract

Hip adduction (ADD) and abduction (ABD) strength, as well as pelvic alignment, are important contributors to lower extremity stability and injury risk, in rotational, unilateral sports such as baseball (BB) and softball (SB). Ongoing research comparing ADD and ABD hip strength and static pelvic tilt angle (PTA) in athletes is needed. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare hip ADD and ABD strength, ADD to ABD ratios (ADD:ABD), and PTA between Division I collegiate BB and SB student athletes (SA) and to examine differences in these variables between dominant (D) and nondominant (ND) limbs within each team. METHODS: Hip ADD and ABD strength and PTA were assessed bilaterally in 36 male BB (19.8 ± 1.4 y, 181.1 ± 28.7 cm, 89.7 ± 11.8 kg) and 19 female SB (19.1 ± 1.0 y, 169.2 ± 6.1 cm, 76.9 ± 12.0 kg) SA during pre-season screening. ADD and ABD were measured using a handheld dynamometer and relative values were determined by dividing ADD and ABD measures by body weight (R-ADD and R-ABD, respectively). PTA was measured using a caliper and digital inclinometer. The D limb for all measures was associated with the self-identified D leg. Independent t-tests were used to compare differences in R-ADD, R-ABD, PTA, and ADD-ABD ratios for D and ND limbs between SB and BB SA. Paired t-tests were used to evaluate D versus ND limb differences within both BB and SB groups. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 31 (IBM Corp) with an alpha significance of p< 0.001 (to adjust for multiple comparisons). RESULTS: BB SA demonstrated significantly greater R-ADD and R-ABD strength in both D and ND limbs compared to SB SA (Cohen’s d = 1.04-1.90, p < 0.001). PTA was lower in the ND limb in BB SA compared to SB SA (Cohen’s d = -0.72, p < 0.001). No significant differences were found for ADD:ABD ratios between BB and SB SA for either limb (p > 0.001). No bilateral differences were observed for PTA, ADD, ABD, or ADD:ABD ratios in either BB or SB SA (p > 0.001). ADD:ABD ratios in both limbs for both groups were <1.0, indicating relatively greater ABD strength in both limbs. CONCLUSION: Consistent with prior research, BB SA demonstrated greater R-ADD and R-ABD hip strength than SB SA. Both BB and SB SA exhibited ADD:ABD ratios below previously published values for collegiate SA. Evaluation of differences in ADD, ABD, and PTA may help inform targeted conditioning strategies.

Recommended Citation

Zalot, Andrew W.; McCrea, Nicole; Accely, Anayah; Vargas, Christian; Wolf, Aiden; Sultan, Gabriella; Salomon, Angelo; Yepez, Lily; Pottorf, Ofra; and Sell, Katie (2026) "Comparison of Hip Adduction to Abduction Strength and Pelvic Alignment in Baseball and Softball Athletes," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 15: Iss. 8, Article 16.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol15/iss8/16