Hip-Muscle Activity in Men and Women During Resisted Side Stepping With Different Band Positions

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Weakness or decreased activation of the hip abductors and external rotators has been associated with lower
extremity injury, especially in females. Resisted sidestepping is commonly used to address a hip weakness. Whereas multiple variations of this exercise are used clinically, few data exist regarding which variations to select.

Hip-abductor activity was higher in women than in men. The pattern of TFL activity in the stance limb
differed by sex. Women performed the exercise in greater forward trunk inclination (P ¼ .009) and had greater hip
excursion (P ¼ .003). Gluteus maximus and medius activity increased when the band was moved from the knees to the ankles and from the ankles to the feet, whereas TFL activity increased only when the band was moved from the knees to the ankles. Findings were similar for both the stance and moving limbs, but the magnitudes of the changes differed.

Key Points

  • Side stepping in the squat position with a resistive band placed around the feet elicited more activity in the gluteal muscles without increasing activity in the tensor fascia lata muscle compared with a resistive band placed around the ankles.
  • Band placement around the feet is most appropriate when the therapeutic goal is to focus on muscle activation to resist hip adduction and internal rotation.
  •  Activation of the gluteus medius and tensor fascia lata muscles was greater in women than in men.
  • Trunk inclination, hip-flexion angle, and hip-abduction excursion were greater in women than in men.

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Hip-Muscle Activity in Men and Women During Resisted Side Stepping With Different Band Positions.
Cara L. Lewis, PhD, PT*; Hanna D. Foley, DPT, PT*; Theresa S. Lee, DPT, PT*; Justin W. Berry, PhD, DPT, PT†
*Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training, Boston University, MA; †Physical Therapist Assistant Program,
Northland Community and Technical College, East Grand Forks, MN