Document Type : Original Article

Authors

• Mohamadreza Hatefi ¹
• Ainollah Sakinepoor ²
• Seyedeh Feriyal Mahdavi ³
• Fateme zibaie ⁴

¹ Assistant Professor, Department of Sport Injuries and Corrective Exercises, Faculty of Physical education and Sport Science, Allameh Tabataba’i University

² Department of Physical Education, University of Farhangian, P.O. Box 14665-889, Tehran, Iran

³ Master, Department of Sport Injuries and Corrective Exercises, Faculty of Physical education and Sport Science, Allameh Tabataba’i University, Tehran, Iran.

⁴ Master, Department of Sport Injuries and Corrective Exercises, Faculty of Physical education and Sport Science, Allameh Tabataba’i University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Introduction: Functional stability is considered one of the most important components of motor control and optimal function of the musculoskeletal system, playing a key role in the execution of daily and sports activities. In recent years, researchers' attention has increasingly focused on the role of hip muscles in controlling lower extremity movements and maintaining functional stability. Hip muscles, particularly the abductors, extensors, and external rotators, play an essential role in maintaining lower limb alignment by controlling pelvic and femoral positioning. Weakness or strength imbalance in these muscles can lead to impaired neuromuscular control, increased dynamic knee valgus, and reduced quality of performance in functional movements.

Methodology: A comprehensive search was conducted in electronic databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar from January 2000 to May 2026. This search was performed using a combination of specialized keywords related to isometric hip muscle strength and indices of functional stability across various motor tasks. Studies that assessed the relationship between isometric hip strength and functional stability in healthy individuals were included in this review.

Results: Numerous studies have investigated the relationship between various types of hip muscle strength, including isometric, concentric, and eccentric strength, with indices of static and dynamic balance. Furthermore, in recent years, the role of hip strength ratios, eccentric control, and proximal muscle coordination in high-demand functional tasks such as landing, single-leg squat, direction change, and plyometric movements has received increasing attention. Nevertheless, findings regarding the intensity and nature of this relationship have not always been consistent across studies.

Conclusion: The present narrative review demonstrates that hip muscle strength can be one of the factors influencing postural control, movement quality, and balance performance; however, this relationship depends on the type of motor task, muscle contraction type, level of motor skill, and assessment conditions. Moreover, it appears that eccentric control and strength balance among hip muscle groups play a more prominent role in high-demand functional activities than isolated isometric strength.

Keywords

• Balance
• Neuromuscular
• Motor Performance
• Single-Leg Squat
• Landing

Main Subjects

• Pathology and corrective movements