An electromyographic analysis of hip abductor muscle activity when subjects are carrying loads in one or both hands.

Forces produced at the hip joint as a result of hip abductor muscle contractions while carrying loads reach several times body weight (BW). Physical therapists often advise patients with hip osteoarthritis in ways to minimize these forces as a means of reducing the pain associated with carrying loads. The purpose of this study was to use surface electromyography (EMG) to quantify the relative demands placed on the hip abductors while carrying loads in one hand or in both hands.