Influence of Hip Abductor Strength on Running Biomechanics in Healthy Populations: A Scoping Review

TL;DR

This review finds limited evidence that hip abductor strength consistently affects running biomechanics in healthy individuals.

Contribution

The study maps existing evidence and highlights the lack of consistent findings and methodological limitations in prior research on hip abductor strength and running biomechanics.

Findings

Most studies were cross-sectional and showed little consistent link between hip abductor strength and running biomechanics.

Only two intervention studies tested hip strengthening effects, with conflicting and inconclusive results.

Future research should focus on controlled experiments under specific conditions like fatigue or higher speeds.

Abstract

Current evidence provides both rationale and preliminary support for an association between hip abductor weakness and detrimental running biomechanics. Previous reviews suggest a potential, but inconsistent, role of hip abductor strength in controlling lower limb biomechanics, with conclusions varying depending on the methodology, population, and task. This scoping review aimed to identify and map all available evidence about the influence of hip abductor strength on running biomechanics in healthy runners comparing study designs and methods. Four databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and SPORTDiscus) were systematically screened for peer-reviewed articles in English investigating the influence of hip abductor strength on running biomechanics in healthy runners. Running biomechanics were defined as any quantitative kinematic (e.g., joint angles) or kinetic (e.g., joint moments) outcome. Eligible studies were synthesized and presented in a summary table, including general and experimental study characteristics and outcome results. After removing duplicate entries, 1322 records were identified, and 19 articles found to be eligible. These studies examined a wide range of gait cycle characteristics across a diverse set of biomechanical variables. Most studies focused on the hip (n = 16) followed by the knee (n = 8), and pelvis (n = 7). Fewer studies examined the trunk (n = 3), followed by the ankle (n = 2), and tibia (n = 1). Frequently reported outcomes included peak angles, range of motion, angular excursion, and peak velocity. Study designs and methodologies varied considerably. Most studies were cross-sectional (n = 17), while only two were intervention trials, both with notable methodological limitations. Overall, the evidence provides insufficient support for a consistent association between hip abductor or external rotator strength and running biomechanics in healthy runners, and no convincing evidence that strengthening these muscles alone leads to systematic or predictable changes in running kinematics or kinetics. These findings challenge commonly held assumptions regarding the biomechanical effects of hip strengthening and highlight the need for well-controlled intervention studies with greater methodological consistency. Future research should prioritize experimental designs that test hip strengthening under specific conditions, such as fatigue or higher running speeds, to determine whether meaningful biomechanical effects occur.

Seventeen of the 19 included studies were cross-sectional, and collectively, the evidence provides little consistent support for a link between hip abductor or external rotator strength and running biomechanics in healthy runners.Only two intervention studies have tested whether targeted hip strengthening can alter running biomechanics, and their conflicting results offer no clear evidence of systematic changes.Future research should focus on well-controlled intervention studies with greater methodological consistency, particularly under conditions such as fatigue or higher running speeds, to clarify whether hip strengthening can meaningfully influence running biomechanics.

Seventeen of the 19 included studies were cross-sectional, and collectively, the evidence provides little consistent support for a link between hip abductor or external rotator strength and running biomechanics in healthy runners.

Only two intervention studies have tested whether targeted hip strengthening can alter running biomechanics, and their conflicting results offer no clear evidence of systematic changes.

Future research should focus on well-controlled intervention studies with greater methodological consistency, particularly under conditions such as fatigue or higher running speeds, to clarify whether hip strengthening can meaningfully influence running biomechanics.

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