Assessing Hip or Glute Strength

Strength is commonly assessed for physical fitness profiling and rehabilitation progress. To evaluate the basic strength levels of the hips, particularly the glute muscles, heath-care providers tend to use resisted isometric movements and a technique called manual muscle testing, which means that one specific muscle is tested at a time. This type of testing uses external resistance to evaluate the strength of a particular hip movement.

  1. Strength Grades

    • Various grading systems have been developed for strength grades, but the Medical Research Council's 0-5 scale is the most standardized. In this system, a 0 indicates no muscle contraction, which means there is no strength. Scoring a 1 indicates a slight twitch, but no ability to resist external pressure. Scoring a 2 indicates an ability to move through the full range of motion, without gravity at play. Scoring a 3 indicates an ability to hold the test position against gravity. Scoring a 4 refers to the ability to hold the test position against a moderate amount of resistance. Finally, scoring a 5 indicates the ability to hold the test position against maximal resistance.

    Assessing Hip Strength

    • Hip strength is generally tested through the natural ranges of motion of the hip joint. For instance, a therapist tests a person's strength in the positions of hip flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, medial rotation and lateral rotation. During testing, resistance is applied gradually in one position to give the patient adequate time to resist the external pressure. Based on the ability of the muscles to resist the external pressure, the muscle group is deemed strong or weak.

    Assessing Gluteus Maximus

    • The gluteus maximus is the large muscle of the buttocks. It extends and laterally rotates the hip joint. Therefore, to test this muscle's strength lie on your stomach on a table. Bend your right knee to 90 degrees. Have a partner stabilize your right hip against the table by adding downward pressure to the top of the right buttock. Next, have your partner gradually add a downward pressure to the back of your right upper leg. Attempt to resist the external pressure by trying to extend your hip.

    Assessing Gluteus Medius

    • The gluteus medius muscle is located on the outer side of the hip, but the posterior position of it lies underneath the larger gluteus maximus. In this muscle, various fibers help with different functions. For example, all fibers move the hip out to the side, while the anterior fibers help to flex the hip and medially rotate the hip. The posterior fibers extend and laterally rotate the hip. To test the strength of this muscle, lie on your right side on a table. Slightly bend your right leg for support and keep your left leg straight. Raise your left leg and slightly rotate your pelvis inward. Have your partner add downward pressure to your lower leg. Resist the external pressure by trying to raise your left leg.

    Assessing Gluteus Minimus

    • The gluteus minimus sits beneath the large gluteus maximus. It functions to push the hip out to the side, medially rotating and flexing the hip. To test the strength of this muscle lie on your right side, on a table. Keeping your toes facing forward, raise your left leg. Have your partner add downward pressure to your lower leg, while you try to resist it keeping the leg moving toward the ceiling.

    On Your Own

    • Typically the strength of a particular muscle or movement pattern is assessed by a heath-care provider, but you can also test your hip strength at the gym. To assess your glute strength, use a cable machine and try a one-legged cable kickback exercise. Stand facing the machine and attach an ankle cuff around your right ankle. The pulley should be on the lowest notch, so that the cable runs close to the floor. Set the machine to use 5 to 10 pounds of weight. Balancing on your left leg, extend your right leg back, bending at the hip joint. If the motion is difficult, your glutes are weak; if it's easy, your glutes are strong.