Reference values of hip abductor torque among youth athletes: Influence of age, sex and sports.

OBJECTIVE: (1) To determine the reference values of hip abductor torque in youth athletes; (2) To investigate the influence of sex, age and sports on hip abductors torque.

DESIGN: Cross-sectional.

SETTING: Sports clubs.

SUBJECTS: 301 volleyball, basketball and futsal athletes between 10 and 19 years of age.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mean value of three maximal isometric hip abductor torques, evaluated using a hand-held dynamometer.

RESULTS: The mean values of maximal isometric hip abductor torque ranged from 1.03 to 1.50 Nm/kg. The dominant hip abductor torque values were greater in 15-19 years old (1.41 ± 0.27 Nm/kg) than in 10-14 years old (1.12 ± 0.31 Nm/kg). In addition, the hip abductor torque values were smaller in basketball players (1.15 ± 0.31 Nm/kg) than futsal (1.34 ± 0.37 Nm/kg) and volleyball players (1.28 ± 0.25 Nm/kg). The comparison of hip abductor torque between futsal and volleyball players revealed no difference. The hip abductor torque values were greater in male volleyball athletes (1.28 ± 0.25 Nm/kg) than female volleyball athletes (1.13 ± 0.22 Nm/kg).

CONCLUSION: This study established reference values for maximal isometric hip abductor torque in youth volleyball, basketball and futsal athletes. In addition, the results demonstrated that sex, age and sports influenced hip abductor torque.