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).

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