Hurdle Step Test: how to assess hip mobility and stability

Stepping over an obstacle looks simple, but it requires the hip, knee, ankle, and pelvis to work in a coordinated way: one leg moves freely while the other keeps the whole body stable. The hurdle step test takes advantage of this demand to detect hip mobility limitations and stability deficits that might go unnoticed in a static assessment.

What does this test measure?

This test evaluates the hip mobility of the moving leg (hip flexion, knee flexion, and ankle dorsiflexion needed to clear the obstacle) and, at the same time, the stability of the stance leg and pelvis throughout the movement.

It's especially useful for detecting compensations like the trunk leaning backward (to "gain" hip range by compensating through the lumbar spine) or loss of balance during the step.

Equipment needed

• A dowel, elastic band, or rod set at the height of the person's tibia (roughly just below the kneecap)
• Two stands to hold the hurdle at that height (or a partner to hold it)
• Clear space

Step-by-step protocol

1. Set the hurdle/rod at the height of the person's tibial tuberosity (just below the kneecap)
2. The person stands just behind the rod, feet together, facing forward, hands on hips or shoulders
3. Ask them to step one leg over the rod, touching the ground on the other side with the heel, while keeping the stance leg and trunk as stable as possible
4. Have them return to the starting position by stepping the leg back over
5. Repeat 3 times with each leg, observing from the front and from the side

Common mistakes

• Allowing the trunk to lean backward to "gain" range (lumbar compensation)
• Not watching the stance leg (this is often where the most relevant findings appear: loss of balance, pelvic rotation)
• Moving too fast and losing control
• Using a hurdle height that's disproportionate (it should be relative to the person's own height, not fixed for everyone)

How to interpret the result

Observation	Interpretation
Smooth movement, stable trunk and pelvis, clean heel contact	Optimal pattern
Slight loss of balance or minor trunk compensation	Monitor — possible mild hip mobility or pelvic control limitation
Marked backward trunk lean	Hip flexion limitation, compensated with lumbar extension
Loss of balance, the moving foot contacting the rod, or marked pelvic rotation	Significant stability deficit of the stance leg
Clear asymmetry between sides	Prioritize working on the side with the worse pattern

This test is part of broader movement screening batteries (like the FMS), where it's scored 0 to 3, but it also works perfectly as an independent qualitative observation.

Related tests

The hurdle step shares components with other stride and balance patterns:

• Deep lunge test (split squat assessment) — assesses a lunge pattern with more load and knee range
• Upper-body Y-balance test — to complement with a stability assessment more focused on the upper body/core

Log your findings in Movalytics

The compensations you see in this test (trunk lean, loss of balance, asymmetries) are exactly the kind of detail that gets lost if not noted in the moment. With Movalytics you can record these findings alongside the rest of the athlete's assessment, and check whether the compensations repeat or improve in later sessions.

Frequently asked questions

How high should the hurdle be? Roughly at the height of the person's tibia (just below the kneecap), not a fixed height. This ensures the mobility demand is proportional to each person. Does this test detect specific hip problems? It's a movement screening test, not a diagnostic hip test. If you detect marked, persistent limitations, a more specific assessment of the hip joint may be warranted. Can it be used with asymptomatic athletes, for prevention? Yes, in fact it's very useful as part of a general preseason movement screen, to detect asymmetries or limitations before they cause overload.