Examination of hip function and muscle activity during clam exercise.
Yuki Iwashita, Hironobu Kuruma
PMID 37405181WHAT IT FOUND
Hip muscle activity during clam exercises depends on how the greater trochanter moves.
When the trochanter moved diagonally upward or backward, gluteus medius activity was higher than when it moved straight upward. Palpating this movement direction helps target the correct muscles.
Key findings
01Gluteus medius activity was significantly higher in the diagonally upward and backward groups compared to the upward group.
02Gluteus maximus activity was significantly higher in the backward group compared to the upward group.
03There were no significant differences in tensor fasciae latae or external oblique activity between the movement direction groups.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
The study included only healthy young males, so results may not apply to women, older adults, or patients with hip pathology. The sample size was small, particularly the upward group with only seven limbs. Surface electromyography cannot distinguish between the anterior, middle, and posterior fibers of the gluteus medius. Deep hip rotator muscles were not measured, leaving their contribution to the exercise unclear.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest and the study received no funding.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that a patient moving their hip straight upward during a clam exercise is performing the exercise incorrectly or failing. They are generating significantly less gluteus medius activity, which may be appropriate for early-stage rehabilitation or specific motor control goals, rather than a movement fault requiring correction.