Biomechanical differences between hip thrust and glute bridge for hip extensors

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the biomechanical characteristics of two similar exercises used to strengthen hip extensors: the Hip Thrust and the Glute Bridge. Ten resistance-trained participants were recruited and performed three repetitions of each exercise in a randomized order at 80% of their one repetition maximum of the Hip Thrust. Kinematic and kinetic variables were assessed. Significant differences were found between the Hip Thrust and Glute Bridge for the concentric phase in time (0.8 ± 0.14 s vs. 0.58 ± 0.07 s; p < .002), vertical displacement (35.65 ± 3.4 cm vs. 15.45 ± 4.82 cm; p < .002), total displacement (39.36 ± 4.03 cm vs. 19.22 ± 5.63 cm; < .002), displacement vector angle (102.18 ± 6.32 deg vs. 61.79 ± 11.08 deg; p < .002), vertical positive impulse (1315.28 ± 300.34 Ns vs. 940.65 ± 93.59 Ns; p < .002), and total impulse (1422.11 ± 321.59 Ns vs. 1024.02 ± 105.48 Ns; p < .002). All effect sizes ranged between 1.59 and 4.64. These results suggest that the Hip Thrust is better suited for sports that require the application of strength from smaller hip angles or higher ranges of motion, and the Glute Bridge allows a higher force application close to the hip lockout. However, due to the training experience of our sample, these results should only be extrapolated to resistance trained males.