Figure 1. Hip Abductors

The hip abductors are a group of four muscles located in the buttocks region on both sides of the body. Their names are:

1) Gluteus Maximus
2) Gluteus Medius
3) Gluteus Minimus
4) Tensor Fascia Lata

These muscles are shown in figure 1 above.

The hip abductors main function is to abduct or separate your legs away from the midline of the body. This occurs during any athletic movement requiring you to move from side to side such as playing the infield in baseball, defense in basketball and football, and ice skating. This is illustrated in Figures 2a and 2b.

Figure 2a.
Neutral Position

Figure 2b.
Hip Abduction