New Hip Adductor Isometric Strength Test on Force Platform Shows Good and Acceptable Intra-Test Reliability for Peak Force Measurement

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Groin and hip injuries are common in sport, and muscle weakness has been identified as an intrinsic risk factor. So, analyzing the strength of the hip musculature becomes important. To date, there are no hip adductor isometric strength tests on force platforms. This study aims to analyze the intra-test reliability of a hip adductor strength test using force platforms. Methods: The study sample comprised 13 male professional soccer players with an average age of 22.3 ± 3 years, body mass of 75.8 ± 5.4 kg, and height of 1.8 ± 0.1 m. Assessments were conducted on a uniaxial force platform. The variables analyzed are peak force (PF), rate of force development (RFD), and impulse. Intra-test reliability was evaluated using the coefficient of variation (CV), intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and Bland–Altman plots. Results: Acceptable levels of reliability were identified solely for the variable of peak force, with CV values of D = 5.7% for the dominant profile and ND = 5.4% for the non-dominant profile. Furthermore, moderate and good relative reliability were observed in peak force for the dominant (ICC = 0.706) and non-dominant (ICC = 0.819) profiles, respectively. However, the remaining time-related variables, RFD and impulse, did not achieve acceptable levels of absolute reliability (CV > 10%) and displayed poor to moderate relative reliability. Conclusions: In summary, PF during the hip adductor isometric strength test demonstrated acceptable absolute and commendable relative reliability. Conversely, the time-related variables, specifically RFD and impulse, yielded unsatisfactory absolute and relative reliability levels.