Gluteus Medius and Minimus Muscle Structure, Strength, and Function in Healthy Adults: Brief Report

Purpose: This article describes gluteus medius and minimus muscle thickness and hip abductor strength and function in healthy adults and explores the relationships between muscle thickness and function. Methods: Gluteus medius and minimus muscle thickness (B-mode ultrasound), isometric hip abductor strength (Biodex dynamometer), and lower extremity function (timed Trendelenburg test, Five-Times-Sit-to-Stand Test [FTSST], and lateral step-down test) were measured in healthy adults using a cross-sectional study design. Results: A total of 22 subjects were included: 10 men and 12 women, mean age 25.2 (SD 3.1) years, mean BMI 22.9 (SD 3.5) kilograms per metre squared. Muscle thickness of the gluteals was a mean 3.88 (SD 0.13) centimetres, and mean hip abductor peak torque was 111 (SD 43) newton-metres. FTSST mean time was 5.3 (SD 0.2) seconds, and median scores were 2.0 points for lateral step-down and 90 seconds for timed Trendelenburg. No significant relationships were found between gluteal muscle thickness and functional tests (rs = -0.28 to 0.37, ps = 0.09-0.80) or strength (r = -0.24, p = 0.28). Conclusion: Although hip abductors are key pelvic stabilizers for functional movements, gluteal muscle thickness was not associated with strength or function. This may be a result of agonist muscle activity, leading to an inability to isolate the gluteals, and to the ceiling effects of the functional tests.