The Hip: The Athlete’s Ultimate Performance Advantage
- Eileen Herriott
- Jan 12
- 2 min read
At The Impact Initiative Physical Therapy & Performance, we work with hybrid athletes, runners, and active adults across every sport. Whether you train in Woodstock or Canton, GA, one truth always holds: athletes with strong, mobile, and well‑coordinated hips perform better, move more efficiently, and stay healthier.
Your hips aren’t just another muscle group; they’re the foundation of athletic movement. When they’re weak, stiff, or poorly coordinated, the rest of your body is forced to compensate, increasing stress on the knees, ankles, and lower back.
What the Hips Actually Do
No matter your sport, your hips are the center of force production and force control. They drive:
Explosive power for sprinting, jumping, and striking
Strength for squatting, deadlifting, and pushing off
Speed and acceleration through hip extension and stride mechanics
Agility and change of direction via hip rotation and stability
Durability, reducing stress on surrounding joints
When the hips can’t handle the load, movement breaks down, and injuries follow.
Power Starts at the Hip
The glutes are the strongest muscles in the body for a reason. They’re built for:
Acceleration
Vertical force production
Rotational power
Deceleration and braking
If you want to sprint faster, jump higher, or hit harder, your hips are the engine behind it.
Strength + Mobility = Better Mechanics
Athletes don’t just need strength; they need the freedom to move explosively. Strong, mobile hips allow you to:
Sink into deeper, more powerful positions
Maintain alignment under load
Absorb and redirect force efficiently
Move without compensating through the knees or back
This is the difference between an athlete who moves well and one who constantly fights their own body.
Hip Endurance: The Key to Late‑Game Performance
Power is great; but power that lasts is what wins games. When the hips fatigue:
Stride length shortens
Cutting mechanics break down
Posture collapses
Speed and power drop
Hip endurance keeps your movement clean deep into the fourth quarter, the final set, or the last rep.
Coordination: The Athletic X‑Factor
Elite athletes don’t just have strong hips; they have smart hips. Hip coordination improves:
Footwork
Cutting and deceleration
Sprint mechanics
Rotational power for throwing, swinging, and striking
This is where athletic drills like skips, bounds, shuffles, and med‑ball work make a massive difference.
How Performance Physical Therapy Helps
At The Impact Initiative Physical Therapy & Performance, our performance‑driven approach helps athletes:
Build hip strength, mobility, and power
Improve coordination and movement efficiency
Reduce injury risk by correcting compensations
Develop late‑game endurance and resilience
A clear plan that builds strength, mobility, and long‑term durability
If you're dealing with hip issues or want expert guidance to improve your performance, The Performance physical therapists at the Impact Initiative Physical Therapy & Performance in Woodstock and Canton, GA are here to help hybrid athletes, runners, and active adults perform better and stay pain‑free. Click below to schedule your evaluation.
Fitness-Forward. Evidence-Based. Impact-Driven.
Performance Physical Therapy
Woodstock & Canton, GA
Comments