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 3 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. We found significant differences between the Hip Thrust and Glute Bridge for the concentric phase in time (0.8 ± 0.14 s vs. 0.58 ± 0.07 s), vertical displacement (35.65 ± 3.4 cm vs. 15.45 ± 4.82 cm), total displacement (39.36 ± 4.03 cm vs. 19.22 ± 5.63 cm), displacement vector magnitude (36.68 ± 3.51 cm vs. 17.84 ± 5.42 cm), displacement vector angle (102.18 ± 6.32 deg vs. 61.79 ± 11.08 deg), vertical positive impulse (1315.28 ± 300.34 Ns vs. 940.65 ± 93.59 Ns), and total impulse (1422.11 ± 321.59 Ns vs. 1024.02 ± 105.48 Ns). 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.