Lesson 13: Hip Flexors and Anterior Thigh Muscles

This course describes the hip flexors and anterior thigh muscles (quadriceps) including the psoas, iliacus, tensor fascia latae (TFL), rectus femoris, vastus medialis (VMO), vastus lateralis, and vastus intermedius. These muscles contribute to motion of the femur at the hip joint (acetabulofemoral joint) and the knee joint (tibiofemoral joint). Examples include the psoas, iliacus, tensor fascia latae, and rectus femoris contributing to hip flexion during a leg raise or being lengthened during a hip flexor stretch, and the rectus femoris, vastus medialis (VMO), vastus lateralis, and vastus intermedius contributing to knee extension during squats, lunges, and a leg press. Note, these muscles also play a role in maintaining optimal posture and optimal arthrokinematics of the hip joint, knee joint, and lumbar spine.

Sports medicine professionals (personal trainers, fitness instructors, physical therapists, massage therapists, chiropractors, occupational therapists, athletic trainers, etc.) must be aware of these muscles 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 detailed anatomy like neural innervations of the hip flexor musculature (e.g. femoral nerve), the synergistic function of these muscles with other hip muscles (e.g. psoas and iliacus contributing to external rotation with the piriformis and deep rotators of the hip), injury (e.g. hip pain, groin pain, hip flexor pain, hip flexor weakness, hip flexor rupture - you don't always need surgery), and sports performance (e.g. muscle strength of the lower extremity/lower limb).

Pre-approved Credits for:

• Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) Certification

Pre-approved for Continuing Education Credits for:

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

This Course Includes:

• AI Tutor
• Video Lecture
• Study Guide
• Text of Material
• Learning Activities
• Practice Exam
• Pre-approved Final Exam

Caption: The psoas major muscle sitting deep on the skeletal system

Bibliography

1. Donald A. Neumann, “Kinesiology of the Musculoskeletal System: Foundations of Rehabilitation – 2nd Edition” © 2012 Mosby, Inc.
2. Tom Myers, Anatomy Trains: Second Edition. © Elsevier Limited 2009
3. David G. Simons, Janet Travell, Lois S. Simons, Travell & Simmons’ Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction, The Trigger Point Manual, Volume 1. Upper Half of Body: Second Edition,© 1999 Williams and Wilkens
4. Cynthia C. Norkin, D. Joyce White, Measurement of Joint Motion: A Guide to Goniometry – Third Edition. © 2003 by F.A. Davis Company
5. Cynthia C. Norkin, Pamela K. Levangie, Joint Structure and Function: A Comprehensive Analysis: Fifth Edition © 2011 F.A. Davis Company
6. 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
7. Andrew Biel, Trail Guide to the Human Body: 4th Edition, © 2010
8. David B. Jenkins, Hollinshead’s Functional Anatomy of the Limbs and Back: Eighth Edition © 2002 Saunders
9. John V. Basmajian, Carlo J. De Luca. Muscles Alive: Their Function Revealed by ElectroMyography. 1985