Gluteus Maximus

This course describes the anatomy and integrated function of the gluteus maximus muscle (a.k.a. glutes, glute max, gluteal muscles, buttocks). This muscle is the largest muscle of the human body (by mass), is composed primarily of type I muscle fibers, and crosses the hip joint and sacroiliac joint. The gluteus maximus is the primary hip extensor, may contribute to hip external rotation, and potentially hip abduction. This course also describes the influence of the gluteus maximus on sacroiliac joint and hip joint arthrokinematics, fascial integration (iliotibial band and thoracolumbar fascia), postural dysfunction, and subsystem integration. Sports medicine professionals (personal trainers, fitness instructors, physical therapists, massage therapists, chiropractors, occupational therapists, athletic trainers, etc.) must be aware of the muscles of the gluteal region for the analysis of human movement, and the development of sophisticated exercise programs and therapeutic (rehabilitation) interventions. Further, this course is essential knowledge for future courses discussing injury prevention and physical rehabilitation (e.g. low back pain, sacroiliac joint pain, hip pain, knee pain, iliotibial band syndrome, and hip impingement syndrome, etc.) and gluteus maximus exercises and techniques for enhancing sports performance (e.g. lower body (leg) stability, strength, power, and hypertrophy training).

Pre-approved credits for:

• Human Movement Specialist (HMS) Certification

Pre-approved for Continuing Education Credits for:

• Athletic Trainers
• Chiropractors
• Group Exercise Instructors
• Massage Therapists
• Occupational Therapists - Intermediate
• Personal Trainers
• Physical Therapists
• Physical Therapy Assistants
• Physiotherapists
• Yoga Instructors

This Course Includes:

• AI Tutor
• Text and Illustrations
• Audio Voice-over
• Research Review
• Technique Videos
• Practice Exam
• Pre-approved Final Exam

Brookbush Institute’s most recommended techniques for the Gluteus Maximus (see videos below):

• Activation: Prone Hip Extension
• Core Integration: Glute Bridge on Ball with Resisted Abduction
• Reactive Activation: Forward Hops (Reactive Activation)
• Subsystem Integration: Squat to Row

Caption: A cadaver dissection of the gluteus maximus dissection

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2. Dr. Mike Clark & Scott Lucette, “NASM Essentials of Corrective Exercise Training” © 2011 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
3. Donald A. Neumann, “Kinesiology of the Musculoskeletal System: Foundations of Rehabilitation – 2nd Edition” © 2012 Mosby, Inc.
4. Michael A. Clark, Scott C. Lucett, NASM Essentials of Personal Training: 4th Edition, © 2011 Lippincott Williams and Wilkins
5. Leon Chaitow, Muscle Energy Techniques: Third Edition, © Pearson Professional Limited 2007
6. Tom Myers, Anatomy Trains: Second Edition. © Elsevier Limited 2009
7. Shirley A Sahrmann, Diagnoses and Treatment of Movement Impairment Syndromes, © 2002 Mosby Inc.
8. David G. Simons, Janet Travell, Lois S. Simons, Travell & Simmons’ Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction, The Trigger Point Manual, Volume 2. Lower Half of Body: Second Edition,© 1999 Williams and Wilkens
9. Cynthia C. Norkin, D. Joyce White, Measurement of Joint Motion: A Guide to Goniometry – Third Edition. © 2003 by F.A. Davis Company
10. Cynthia C. Norkin, Pamela K. Levangie, Joint Structure and Function: A Comprehensive Analysis: Fifth Edition © 2011 F.A. Davis Company
11. Florence Peterson Kendall, Elizabeth Kendall McCreary, Patricia Geise Provance, Mary McIntyre Rodgers, William Anthony Romani, Muscles: Testing and Function with Posture and Pain: Fifth Edition © 2005 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
12. Karel Lewit. Manipulative Therapy: Musuloskeletal Medicine © 2007 Elsevier
13. Carolyn Richardson, Paul Hodges, Julie Hides. Therapeutic Exercise for Lumbo Pelvic Stabilization – A Motor Control Approach for the Treatment and Prevention of Low Back Pain: 2nd Edition (c) Elsevier Limited, 2004
14. Andrew Biel, Trail Guide to the Human Body: 4th Edition, © 2010
15. Gibbons, S.G.T. (2004) The anatomy of the deep sacral part of the gluteus maximus and the psoas muscle: A clinical perspective. Proceeds of: The 5th Interdiciplinary World Congress on Low Back Pain. November 7-11, Melbourne, Australia.
16. Barker, PJ., Hapuarachchi, K.S., Ross, J.A., Sambaiew, E., Ranger, T.A., and Briggs, C.A. (2013). Anatomy and biomechanics of gluteus maximus and the thoracolumbar fascia at the sacroiliac joint. Wiley Online Library. DOI: 10.1002/ca.22233
17. Stecco, A., Gilliar, W., Hill, R., Fullerton, B., Stecco, Carla. (2013). The anatomical and functional relation between gluteus maximus and fascia lata. Journal of Bodywork & Movement Therapies. 17. 512-517
18. Queiroz, BC., Cagliari, MF., Amorim, CF., Sacco, IC. Muscle Activation During Four Pilates Core Stability Exercises in Quadruped Position. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2010;91:86-92.
19. Hewett, T. E., Myer, G. D., Ford, K. R., Heidt, R. S., Colosimo, A. J., McLean, S. G., & Succop, P. (2005). Biomechanical measures of neuromuscular control and valgus loading of the knee predict anterior cruciate ligament injury risk in female athletes A prospective study. The American journal of sports medicine, 33(4), 492-501.
20. Hungerford, B., Gilleard, W., Hodges, P. (2003) Evidence of altered lumbopelvic muscle recruitment in the presence of sacroiliac joint pain. Spine 28(14), 1593-1600
21. Padua, D. A., Bell, D. R., & Clark, M. A. (2012). Neuromuscular characteristics of individuals displaying excessive medial knee displacement. Journal of athletic training, 47(5), 525
22. Tateuchi, H., Taniguchi, M., Mori, N., Ichihashi, N. Balance of hip and trunk muscle activity is associated with increased anterior pelvic tilt during prone hip extension (2013) Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology 22 (3). 391-397
23. Selkowitz, D. M., Beneck, G. J., & Powers, C. M. (2013). Which exercises target the gluteal muscles while minimizing activation of the tensor fascia lata? electromyographic assessment using fine-wire electrodes. journal of orthopaedic & sports physical therapy, 43(2), 54-64
24. Kan, S., Jeon, H., Kwon, O., Cynn, H., Choi, B. (2013). Activation of the gluteus maximus and hamstring muscles during prone hip extension with knee flexion in three hip abduction positions. Manual Therapy 18, 303-307