• Hip abductor stretches may prevent injuries.Stretching the leg as part of a Thai body massage. image by Deborah Benbrook from Fotolia.com
  
  Hip abductor stretches help improve the flexibility and strength of the hip joint and improve muscularity in the thighs. Hip abductor stretches may also help reduce the likelihood of injury during compound exercises such as squats or lunges, according to ABC of Fitness, a website dedicated to exercise and nutrition. When performing these stretches, you will want to hold each stretch for 30 seconds or more according to Fitness Magazine, a publication dedicated to exercise and nutrition.
  
  

Leg Cross-Over

• Sit down on the floor with your legs stretched out straight in front of you. Put both arms behind you with your palms on the floor. Your arms will help support your upper body and keep your back straight. Next, bend one leg at the knee and place it over your other leg so that the sole of your foot is flat on the ground. Finally, take your opposing arm and place it over your bent knee so that the palm of the hand is flat on the floor. Press down with your arm so that it causes the bent leg stretch.
  
  

Lying Leg Lift

• For this exercise, you will want to lie down on your side. Keep your body completely straight and bend the arm you are lying on at the elbow to support your neck with your hand. Next, lift the leg that is not touching the floor upward, as if your legs were a pair of scissors. Hold the position, then bring the leg back down.
  
  

Standing Leg Lift

• Stand up, keeping your back completely straight, and use one arm to lean against a stable surface such as a wall. Next, lift your opposing leg that's away from the wall upwards as far as you can to the side. Hold the position, then bring the leg back down to complete the stretch.
  
  

Seated Rotator

• This exercise targets the internal hip abductor muscles in a seated position. Sit flat on the floor with both legs stretched out in front of you. Put one arm behind you with the palm flat on the ground to support you. Next, take the opposing leg and fold it over the other leg as if you were going to sit Indian style. Make sure to keep the other leg straight out in front of you. Next, take your free arm and place the hand on the knee of the bent leg. Apply pressure, pushing down on the knee to increase the intensity of the stretch.