Hip External Rotation Exercises for Injury Prevention

Also known as "the deep six," lateral rotators lie deep within the hip structure and work together with the primary function of helping rotate the hip externally.

They also play other minor hip movement roles.

The six deep muscles include:

• Obturator Internus
• Obturator Externus
• Quadratus Femoris
• Piriformis
• Gemellus Superior
• Gemellus Inferior

"These 6 muscles (lateral rotators) sit deep within the hip structure and work together for one common purpose: to externally rotate the hips. While some of these muscles will also assist in other movements, external rotation is their primary function."

- Garrett Reid, Strength & Conditioning Coach, Author at Setforset.com

Hip Flexors

Some hip flexors also play a part in external hip movement by helping the muscles flex.

Examples of hip flexor muscles include:

• Iliopsoas Muscle
• Sartorius

Fire hydrants are bodyweight exercises that work the glutes, an important muscle in hip external rotation mechanics.

They can be done with a resistance band wrapped around your thighs just above the knees for more resistance.

Here's how to do it:

• Start by getting on all fours. Your knees should be directly under your hips, and your palms should be under your shoulders.
• Keep your back straight and parallel to the ground throughout the exercise as you engage your midsection.
• While keeping your right leg bent at a 90-degree angle, lift your right knee up and outward to open the right hip.
• Once you reach up, pause briefly before returning the right leg to the floor.
• Repeat on the same side for 10–20 reps, then switch legs and do the same with your left knee.

Trunk Rotation

Besides working on your spine, trunk rotation is a great workout for improving your core strength and stability.

It also works your lower back and keeps your hips flexible.

Here's how to do it:

• Lie down on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground. Let your arms extend to the side and on the floor to aid balance.
• Now, gently rotate your knees to the right side as far as your mobility can allow while keeping your knees bent and upper body stationary until the left leg is stacked on top of the right leg.
• Once you reach your furthest point, hold the position for a few seconds.
• Return slowly to your starting position, then repeat the movement, but now to your left side.
• That's one rep; repeat 15 times to complete one set of three.

External hip muscles are responsible for maintaining balance and stability, especially when standing on one leg.

So it makes sense to perform exercises such as the single-leg squat to strengthen these muscles and improve function.

You will need an elevated platform, like a box, to complete this exercise.

Here's how to do it:

• Stand on a box with your right foot. Keep the left leg hanging down to the side of the box. This is your starting position.
• Brace your core and lower yourself into a squat position with your right foot while allowing your left foot to drop and hover on the ground.
• Once you reach down, pause briefly before slowly straightening your knee to return to your starting position.
• Repeat for the desired number of reps before switching to your left foot.

Hip Thrusts

As we saw earlier, the glutes play a major role in external rotation. So it makes sense to strengthen them to improve hip flexibility. This is where hip thrusts come in.

Hip thrusts are compound movements that primarily target the gluteus maximus along with the hamstrings and other lower body muscles [3].

Wrap a band around your thigh to add intensity to the external rotation exercise.

Here's how to do hip thrusts:

• Place your upper back on a sturdy bench and keep your knees bent with feet flat and planted firmly on the ground.
• Place a loaded barbell on your hip joint and push upwards until your thighs, hips, core, and chest are in a straight line. Contract your glutes throughout the movement.
• Once you reach the top of the movement, pause briefly before slowly lowering the bar.
• Repeat until you reach your desired number of reps.

In addition to these exercises, stretching can also help loosen tight muscles in your hips.

Here are a few helpful stretches for hip external rotator flexibility:

• Figure 4 Stretch
• Chair Stretch
• Seated Floor Stretch
• Pigeon Pose

While they can still be effective when done on their own, adding a protein powder supplement to the regimen can help you get faster results.