Electromyographic analysis of hip abductor musculature in healthy right-handed persons

Abstract

The right hip abductor (HA) musculature has been reported to demonstrate stretch weakness attributable to chronic elongation imposed by standing posture common to right-handed healthy individuals. Research has shown side-specific differences in maximal isometric torque-hip abduction angle curves for the HA muscles in a similar population. The purposes of this study were to assess isometric hip abduction torque in a sample of 40 healthy right-handed persons and to compare side differences in the HA muscles' neural drive index across a wide range of hip abduction angles. The neural drive index was defined as the magnitude of the normalized surface electromyographic activity divided by the absolute magnitude of a submaximal (20% of maximal) isometric HA muscle torque. Data were collected while subjects were positioned supine with trunk and pelvis stabilized. Statistical analysis of the data did not support earlier research on right HA muscle stretch-weakness; however, trends in the data suggest the need for further research. We also discuss the functional role of the passive noncontractile elements of the HA musculature.