Which exercise is performed lying on the side with the top leg raised to the side, knee straight, and toes pointed forward?

Which exercise is performed lying on the side with the top leg raised to the side, knee straight, and toes pointed forward?

• A. Bridge
• B. Hip abduction sidelying
• C. Prone hip extension
• D. Hip adduction sidelying

Answer: (B)

The main idea is isolating the hip abductors in a side-lying position. When you lie on one side and raise the top leg straight out to the side with the knee extended and the toes pointed forward, the movement is a hip abduction. Keeping the knee straight emphasizes the abductors (gluteus medius and minimus) rather than muscles that bend or rotate the hip. The pelvis stays level because the bottom leg and torso provide stabilization, so the abductors have to lift the leg instead of compensating with the trunk. Pointing the toes forward helps maintain neutral hip rotation and prevents compensatory twists that would recruit other muscles. This setup specifically strengthens the gluteal group responsible for lifting the leg away from the midline and stabilizing the pelvis during single-leg activities, which is important for gait and pelvic control.

The main idea is isolating the hip abductors in a side-lying position. When you lie on one side and raise the top leg straight out to the side with the knee extended and the toes pointed forward, the movement is a hip abduction. Keeping the knee straight emphasizes the abductors (gluteus medius and minimus) rather than muscles that bend or rotate the hip. The pelvis stays level because the bottom leg and torso provide stabilization, so the abductors have to lift the leg instead of compensating with the trunk. Pointing the toes forward helps maintain neutral hip rotation and prevents compensatory twists that would recruit other muscles.

This setup specifically strengthens the gluteal group responsible for lifting the leg away from the midline and stabilizing the pelvis during single-leg activities, which is important for gait and pelvic control.