Unilateral Glute Strength Test (Single Leg Glute Bridge Test): Protocol and Reference Tables

The single leg glute bridge test is a dynamic, unilateral assessment of gluteus maximus strength-endurance, widely used in rehabilitation of hamstring, hip, and knee injuries. Unlike the Trendelenburg test (more qualitative), this test provides a quantitative result (repetitions) that's easy to compare between sides and over time.

What does this test measure?

It measures the maximum number of single-leg glute bridge repetitions performed with correct technique, until failure or loss of pelvic alignment. It primarily assesses gluteus maximus strength-endurance on the supporting side, with contributions from the hamstrings and core.

Equipment needed

• Exercise mat
• Optional: metronome to standardize execution pace

Test protocol

1. The subject lies supine, knees bent, feet on the floor
2. They lift one leg, either extending it or keeping the knee bent with the foot in the air (depending on the protocol), so only one foot remains on the floor
3. From that position, they lift the hips through hip extension on the supporting leg, until the torso and thigh are aligned
4. They lower with control, without the hip touching the floor between reps
5. They repeat until the pelvis loses horizontal alignment (rotation or drop to one side) or the subject can no longer continue with correct technique
6. Repeat with the opposite leg and compare both results

Common mistakes

• Allowing the pelvis to rotate or "drop" toward the side of the raised leg without counting it as the end of the test
• Using an incomplete range of motion (not reaching full hip extension)
• Not standardizing the position of the raised leg (extended vs. bent), as it changes the difficulty

How to interpret the result

Level	Repetitions (per leg)
Low	< 10
Acceptable	10-15
Good	15-20
Very good	> 20

As with other unilateral tests, the most important value is the comparison between legs. A difference greater than 10-15% between sides is usually considered relevant, especially in athletes returning from a hamstring or hip injury.

Relationship with other tests

This test pairs very well with:

• Gluteus medius strength test (Trendelenburg) — assesses pelvic control in single-leg standing support, in a more qualitative way
• Lumbopelvic control test in side plank — for a more complete assessment of hip and core stability

Track progress over time

When returning to sport after hamstring or hip injuries, glute strength symmetry between both legs is one of the standard criteria to meet. In Movalytics you can log the repetitions for each side, automatically calculate the percentage difference, and track the evolution of symmetry throughout the rehabilitation process.

Frequently asked questions

Which position of the raised leg is better? Both are valid (extended or with the knee bent), but you should pick one and keep it consistent across assessments so results are comparable. What does a marked asymmetry in this test mean? It can indicate relative weakness of the glute on the weaker side, especially relevant after hamstring, hip, or knee injuries, and a factor to consider before progressing to higher-intensity efforts. Is this a good test for runners? Yes, gluteus maximus strength and symmetry are relevant for propulsion and hip stability during running, so this test is useful both for prevention and rehabilitation in runners.