{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,7]],"date-time":"2026-07-07T01:17:27Z","timestamp":1783387047176,"version":"3.54.6"},"reference-count":41,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"3","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,7,30]],"date-time":"2025-07-30T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1753833600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["JFMK"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Introduction: Hip abductor strength is essential for pelvic stability, lower limb alignment, and injury prevention. Weaknesses of the gluteus medius and minimus contribute to various musculoskeletal conditions. Lateral band walks and monster walks are elastic resistance exercises commonly used to target the hip abductors and external rotators in functional, weight-bearing tasks. Therefore, the aim was to summarize the current evidence on the biomechanics, muscle activation, and clinical applications of lateral and monster band walks. Methods: This narrative review was conducted following the SANRA guideline. A comprehensive literature search was performed across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and SPORTDiscus up to April 2025. Studies on the biomechanics, electromyography, and clinical applications of lateral band walks and monster walks were included, alongside relevant evidence on hip abductor strengthening. Results: A total of 13 studies were included in the review, of which 4 specifically investigated lateral band walk and\/or monster walk exercises. Lateral and monster walks elicit moderate to high activation of the gluteus medius and maximus, especially when performed with the band at the ankles or forefeet and in a semi-squat posture. This technique minimizes compensation from the tensor fasciae latae and promotes selective gluteal recruitment. Proper execution requires control of the trunk and pelvis, optimal squat depth, and consistent band tension. Anatomical factors (e.g., femoral torsion), sex differences, and postural variations may influence movement quality and necessitate tailored instruction.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/jfmk10030294","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,7,30]],"date-time":"2025-07-30T07:37:23Z","timestamp":1753861043000},"page":"294","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":4,"title":["Optimizing Hip Abductor Strengthening for Lower Extremity Rehabilitation: A Narrative Review on the Role of Monster Walk and Lateral Band Walk"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"10","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-7215-3925","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"\u00c1ngel","family":"Gonz\u00e1lez-de-la-Flor","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Sport, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Villaviciosa de Od\u00f3n, 28670 Madrid, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,7,30]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"665","DOI":"10.1002\/ca.22539","article-title":"Anatomy of the hip capsule and pericapsular structures: A cadaveric study","volume":"28","author":"Cooper","year":"2015","journal-title":"Clin. Anat."},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"82","DOI":"10.2519\/jospt.2010.3025","article-title":"Kinesiology of the hip: A focus on muscular actions","volume":"40","author":"Neumann","year":"2010","journal-title":"J. Orthop. Sports Phys. Ther."},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"26","DOI":"10.1016\/j.math.2010.08.005","article-title":"Assessing lateral stability of the hip and pelvis","volume":"16","author":"Grimaldi","year":"2011","journal-title":"Man. Ther."},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"41","DOI":"10.1519\/SSC.0b013e318187f19a","article-title":"Gluteus medius: Applied anatomy, dysfunction, assessment, and progressive strengthening","volume":"30","author":"Presswood","year":"2008","journal-title":"Strength Cond. J."},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"697","DOI":"10.1002\/ca.22004","article-title":"A review of the anatomy of the hip abductor muscles, gluteus medius, gluteus minimus, and tensor fascia lata","volume":"25","author":"Flack","year":"2012","journal-title":"Clin. Anat."},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"296","DOI":"10.1123\/jsr.21.3.296","article-title":"Effective exercises for targeting the Gluteus medius","volume":"21","author":"Bliven","year":"2012","journal-title":"J. Sport Rehabil."},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1107","DOI":"10.1007\/s40279-015-0336-5","article-title":"Gluteal Tendinopathy: A Review of Mechanisms, Assessment and Management","volume":"45","author":"Grimaldi","year":"2015","journal-title":"Sports Med."},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"455","DOI":"10.1177\/1941738111415006","article-title":"Influence of the Hip on Patients with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome","volume":"3","author":"Meira","year":"2011","journal-title":"Sports Health: A Multidiscip. Approach"},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"167","DOI":"10.1590\/bjpt-rbf.2014.0089","article-title":"Effectiveness of hip muscle strengthening in patellofemoral pain syndrome patients: A systematic review","volume":"19","author":"Santos","year":"2015","journal-title":"Braz. J. Phys. Ther."},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"926","DOI":"10.1249\/01.MSS.0000128145.75199.C3","article-title":"Core Stability Measures as Risk Factors for Lower Extremity Injury in Athletes","volume":"36","author":"Leetun","year":"2004","journal-title":"Med. Sci. Sports Exerc."},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"318","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jelekin.2014.01.008","article-title":"Different hip rotations influence hip abductor muscles activity during isometric side-lying hip abduction in subjects with gluteus medius weakness","volume":"24","author":"Lee","year":"2014","journal-title":"J. Electromyogr. Kinesiol."},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"5","DOI":"10.1186\/s41073-019-0064-8","article-title":"SANRA\u2014A scale for the quality assessment of narrative review articles","volume":"4","author":"Baethge","year":"2019","journal-title":"Res. Integr. Peer Rev."},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"54","DOI":"10.2519\/jospt.2013.4116","article-title":"Which exercises target the gluteal muscles while minimizing activation of the tensor fascia lata? Electromyographic assessment using fine-wire electrodes","volume":"43","author":"Selkowitz","year":"2013","journal-title":"J. Orthop. Sports Phys. Ther."},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"532","DOI":"10.2519\/jospt.2009.2796","article-title":"Gluteal Muscle Activation During Common Therapeutic Exercises","volume":"39","author":"Distefano","year":"2009","journal-title":"J. Orthop. Sports Phys. Ther."},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Collings, T.J., Bourne, M.N., Barrett, R.S., Meinders, E., Gon\u00e7alves, B., Shield, A., and Diamond, L.E. (2025). Reconsidering Exercise Selection with EMG: Poor Agreement between Ranking Hip Exercises with Gluteal EMG and Muscle Force. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc.","DOI":"10.1249\/MSS.0000000000003733"},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"418","DOI":"10.1123\/jsr.2016-0088","article-title":"A Systematic Review of Rehabilitation Exercises to Progressively Load the Gluteus Medius","volume":"26","author":"Ebert","year":"2017","journal-title":"J. Sport Rehabil."},{"key":"ref_17","first-page":"1","article-title":"Rehabilitation Exercises for the Gluteus Medius Muscle Segments: An Electromyography Study","volume":"28","author":"Moore","year":"2019","journal-title":"J. Sport Rehabil."},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"346","DOI":"10.1249\/MSS.0000000000000781","article-title":"Hip Abductor Muscle Weakness in Individuals with Gluteal Tendinopathy","volume":"48","author":"Allison","year":"2016","journal-title":"Med. Sci. Sports Exerc."},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"650","DOI":"10.1249\/MSS.0000000000003091","article-title":"Gluteal Muscle Forces during Hip-Focused Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation Exercises","volume":"55","author":"Collings","year":"2023","journal-title":"Med. Sci. Sports Exerc."},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1071","DOI":"10.4085\/1062-6050-46-16","article-title":"Hip-Muscle Activity in Men and Women During Resisted Side Stepping with Different Band Positions","volume":"53","author":"Lewis","year":"2018","journal-title":"J. Athl. Train."},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"675","DOI":"10.2519\/jospt.2015.5888","article-title":"Resisted Side Stepping: The Effect of Posture on Hip Abductor Muscle Activation","volume":"45","author":"Berry","year":"2015","journal-title":"J. Orthop. Sports Phys. Ther."},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"113","DOI":"10.3109\/09593985.2012.704492","article-title":"Electromyographic analysis of trunk and hip muscles during resisted lateral band walking","volume":"29","author":"Youdas","year":"2013","journal-title":"Physiother. Theory Pr. Pract."},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"719","DOI":"10.1016\/j.clinbiomech.2012.03.002","article-title":"Progressive hip rehabilitation: The effects of resistance band placement on gluteal activation during two common exercises","volume":"27","author":"Cambridge","year":"2012","journal-title":"Clin. Biomech."},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"127","DOI":"10.2106\/JBJS.O.00334","article-title":"Passive Hip Range of Motion Predicts Femoral Torsion and Acetabular Version","volume":"98","author":"Chadayammuri","year":"2016","journal-title":"J. Bone Jt. Surg. Am."},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Frasson, V.B., Herzog, W., Johnston, K., Pauchard, Y., Vaz, M.A., and Baroni, B.M. (2022). Do femoral version abnormalities play a role in hip function of patients with hip pain?. Clin. Biomech., 97.","DOI":"10.1016\/j.clinbiomech.2022.105708"},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"39","DOI":"10.1016\/j.bjpt.2018.11.010","article-title":"Hip muscle weakness and reduced joint range of motion in patients with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome: A case-control study","volume":"24","author":"Frasson","year":"2020","journal-title":"Braz. J. Phys. Ther."},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"671","DOI":"10.2519\/jospt.2003.33.11.671","article-title":"Hip strength in females with and without patellofemoral pain","volume":"33","author":"Ireland","year":"2003","journal-title":"J. Orthop. Sports Phys. Ther."},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"534","DOI":"10.1007\/s12178-019-09593-z","article-title":"Update of Risk Factors, Diagnosis, and Management of Patellofemoral Pain","volume":"12","author":"Sisk","year":"2019","journal-title":"Curr. Rev. Musculoskelet. Med."},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"630","DOI":"10.1177\/0363546505281808","article-title":"The role of hip muscle function in the treatment of patellofemoral pain syndrome","volume":"34","author":"Tyler","year":"2006","journal-title":"Am. J. Sports Med."},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1110","DOI":"10.1093\/ptj\/86.1.110","article-title":"Acetabular labral tears","volume":"86","author":"Lewis","year":"2006","journal-title":"Phys. Ther."},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"270","DOI":"10.2519\/jospt.2018.7794","article-title":"Kinematic differences during single-leg step-down between individuals with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome and individuals without hip pain","volume":"48","author":"Lewis","year":"2018","journal-title":"J. Orthop. Sports Phys. Ther."},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"pzad179","DOI":"10.1093\/ptj\/pzad179","article-title":"Clinical Presentation Differences Among Four Subtypes of Femoroacetabular Impingement: A Case\u2013Control Study","volume":"104","year":"2024","journal-title":"Phys. Ther."},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"103253","DOI":"10.1016\/j.msksp.2025.103253","article-title":"Gluteal tendinopathy masterclass: Refuting the myths and engaging with the evidence","volume":"76","author":"Grimaldi","year":"2025","journal-title":"Musculoskelet. Sci. Pr. Pract."},{"key":"ref_34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"102694","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jelekin.2022.102694","article-title":"Males and females have different muscle activity patterns during gait after ACL injury and reconstruction","volume":"66","author":"Arhos","year":"2022","journal-title":"J. Electromyogr. Kinesiol."},{"key":"ref_35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1506","DOI":"10.1136\/bjsports-2015-095898","article-title":"Evidence-based clinical practice update: Practice guidelines for anterior cruciate ligament rehabilitation based on a systematic review and multidisciplinary consensus","volume":"50","author":"Cingel","year":"2016","journal-title":"Br. J. Sports Med."},{"key":"ref_36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Phuaklikhit, C., Junsri, T., Saito, S., Muraki, S., and Loh, P.Y. (2024). Biomechanical and Physiological Variables in Dynamic and Functional Balance Control during Single-Leg Loading in Individuals with Chronic Ankle Instability: A Scoping Review. Sports, 12.","DOI":"10.3390\/sports12080224"},{"key":"ref_37","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"839","DOI":"10.1136\/bjsports-2018-100070","article-title":"Is chronic ankle instability associated with impaired muscle strength? Ankle, knee and hip muscle strength in individuals with chronic ankle instability: A systematic review with meta-analysis","volume":"54","author":"Khalaj","year":"2020","journal-title":"Br. J. Sports Med."},{"key":"ref_38","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"126","DOI":"10.1097\/JWH.0000000000000209","article-title":"Hip and Pelvic Floor Muscle Strength in Women with and without Urgency and Frequency Predominant Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms","volume":"45","author":"Foster","year":"2021","journal-title":"J. Womens Health Phys. Ther."},{"key":"ref_39","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"100325","DOI":"10.1016\/j.esxm.2021.100325","article-title":"Relationship Between Sexual Function and Pelvic Floor and Hip Muscle Strength in Women with Stress Urinary Incontinence","volume":"9","author":"Hwang","year":"2021","journal-title":"Sex. Med."},{"key":"ref_40","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Schoenfeld, B.J., Grgic, J., Van Every, D.W., and Plotkin, D.L. (2021). Loading Recommendations for Muscle Strength, Hypertrophy, and Local Endurance: A Re-Examination of the Repetition Continuum. Sports, 9.","DOI":"10.3390\/sports9020032"},{"key":"ref_41","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1757","DOI":"10.1007\/s00421-023-05400-3","article-title":"How to activate the glutes best? Peak muscle activity of acceleration-specific pre-activation and traditional strength training exercises","volume":"124","author":"Goller","year":"2024","journal-title":"Eur. J. Appl. Physiol."}],"container-title":["Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2411-5142\/10\/3\/294\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,9]],"date-time":"2025-10-09T18:18:35Z","timestamp":1760033915000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2411-5142\/10\/3\/294"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2025,7,30]]},"references-count":41,"journal-issue":{"issue":"3","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,9]]}},"alternative-id":["jfmk10030294"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/jfmk10030294","relation":{},"ISSN":["2411-5142"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2411-5142","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2025,7,30]]}}}