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Adductor Muscles Audio

The hip adductor muscles include the pectineus, adductor brevis, adductor longus, adductor magnus, and gracilis. This course includes an in-depth review of anatomy and techniques for mobility and strength.

Adductor Muscles

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Human Movement Specialist

Pectineus, adductor brevis, adductor longus, adductor magnus, and gracilis.

Introduction to Hip Adductor Muscle Anatomy:

Static Manual Release of the Anterior Adductors

Standing Anterior Adductors Static Stretch

Feeling of hip adductor muscle pain, tightness, and weakness are not uncommon. Generally, these feelings are the result of hip, sacroiliac joint, or lower extremity issues that should be addressed with an integrated program. For example, often adductor strength is best addressed with hip mobility techniques and 

 function of the adductor muscles group (a.k.a. hip adductors, inner thigh muscles, medial thigh muscles, or muscles of the medial compartment of the thigh). This group is comprised of 5 muscles with much of their mass lying superficial on the medial thigh from the pubis (and ramus of ischium) to the knee, along the length of the medial femur. The adductors are a very large muscle group, comprising 22.5% of the mass of the lower extremity (the only group that may be larger is the combined mass of the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, and gluteus minimus). The available research suggests that the adductors are composed of far more Type I muscle fiber than Type II muscle fiber.


The adductor muscle group is comprised of 5 muscles: pectineus, adductors brevis, adductor longus, adductor magnus, and gracilis. Functionally, these muscles may be divided into the posterior adductor magnus with a unique set of functions, and the anterior adductors which include all of the other adductor muscles which perform similar functions. All of the adductors cross the hip, and all may contribute to hip adduction. The posterior adductor magnus will contribute to hip extension and external rotation, and the anterior adductors will contribute to hip flexion and internal rotation. The gracilis crosses the knee and may contribute to knee flexion and internal rotation (as part of the pes anserinus group). This course also describes the role of the adductors during hip 

, and synergistic function. For example, the anterior adductors contribute to lower extremity internal rotation and flexion in synergy with the 

Sports medicine professionals (personal trainers, fitness instructors, physical therapists, massage therapists, chiropractors, occupational therapists, athletic trainers, etc.) must be aware of the 

 function of the adductors for the detailed analysis of human movement, and the development of sophisticated exercise programs and therapeutic (rehabilitation) interventions. For example, altered activity and length of the hip adductor muscles may contribute to groin pain, groin strain, hip joint impingement, low back pain, excessive knee valgus, and knee pain. Altered adductor activity may also result in a reduction in gluteus maximus and gluteus medius activity, resulting in a significant decrease in lower body speed, agility, and strength, and a reduction in the effectiveness of resistance training routines intended to improve lower body strength and hypertrophy (bodybuilding). Deeper knowledge of adductor anatomy is essential for optimal assessment, intervention selection, and building a repertoire of adductor-specific techniques.

This course also provides detailed descriptions of etymology, attachments, innervations, joint actions, location, palpation, integrated actions, arthrokinematics, fascial integration, subsystem integration, postural dysfunction, assessment, clinical implications, and interventions.

Sample Intervention: Loss of Hip Range of Motion

Knees Bow In (with and without heel rise)

Anterior Adductors Self-administered Release

Tensor Fascia Latae and Gluteus Minimus Self-administered Release

Vastus Lateralis Self-administered Release

Squat to Row (Posterior Oblique Subsystem)

Cadaver dissection of the adductors, including the pectineus, adductor brevis, adductor longus, adductor magnus, and gracilis

By Anatomist90 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=25129754

Course Summary: Adductors

Adductor Muscles Course Study Guide

Course Study Guide: Adductor Muscles

Course Summary Webinar: Functional Anatomy of the Adductors

 early 15c., from Latin adducere “lead to, bring to, bring along,” from ad- “to” (see 

 word-forming element making nouns of quality, state, or condition, from Middle English -our, from Old French -our (Modern French -eur), from Latin -orem (nominative -or), a suffix added to pp. verbal stems. Also in some cases from Latin -atorem (nominative -ator). (

 – The word pectineus comes from the Latin pecten, which translates as “comb.” 

en was originally the name given to the bone now referred to as the pubic bone. The prong-like nature of this bone resembled an ancient comb. Since this muscle attached to the comb-bone it became the comb-muscle. (

 – from Latin magnus “great, large, big” (of size) (

 1620s, from Latin gracilis “slender, thin, fine; plain, simple.” Not etymologically connected to grace but often regarded as if it is. Perhaps a dissimilated form related to Latin cracens “slender;” if so, perhaps cognate with Sanskrit krsah “thin, weak,” Avestankeresa- “lean, meager,” Lithuanian karštu “to be very old, to age.” (

A funny acronym for remembering your adductor muscles in order of insertion from proximal to distal (kind-of):

Etymology of Terms Related to Adductors

The proximal attachment is located on the surface of the superior ramus of the pubis, anterior to the pectineal line, between the iliopectineal and the pubic tubercle (1).

This muscle bisects the medial and anterior compartments and comprises the medial part of the floor of the femoral triangle.

The distal attachment invests in the pectineal line on the medial, proximal, and posterior aspects of the femur (1).

This muscle has two neural innervations from the femoral nerve (which innervates the hip flexors and quadriceps muscles) and an accessory obturator nerve (the obturator nerve innervates other adductor muscles), both of which arise from the femoral plexus via nerve roots L2, L3, and sometimes L4 (1).


This may imply that the pectineus plays a larger role in hip flexion than adduction of the hip.

Anterior view of the pectineus muscle

The proximal attachment is located on the anterior surface of the inferior ramus of the pubis (1, 2).

The distal attachment invests in the distal 2/3rds of the pectineal line and the distal half of the medial lip of the linea aspera, just lateral and posterior to the adductor longus insertion (1).

This muscle is innervated by the obturator nerve arising from the femoral plexus via nerve roots L2 - L4 (1, 2)

Anterior view of the adductor brevis

The proximal attachment is located on the anterior surface of the pubis at the junction of the crest of the symphysis, via a relatively narrow flat tendon (1, 2).

The distal attachment invests in the middle 1/3 of the medial lip of the linea aspera, between the attachments of the vastus medialis and adductor magnus (1, 2).

This muscle is innervated by the obturator nerve arising from the femoral plexus via nerve roots L2, L3, and sometimes L4 (1, 2)

Anterior view of the adductor longus

Anterior Fibers/Head of the Adductor Magnus - "

The proximal attachment invests in the ramus of the pubis, and ramus of ischium (1, 2).

The distal attachment invests in the gluteal tuberosity, middle of the linea aspera, and the medial supracondylar line (1, 2)

The anterior and posterior heads of the adductor magnus can be divided at their origin.

The anterior fibers originate at the ramus of the pubis and the ramus of the ischium. At the insertion (distal attachment), the anterior fibers insert proximal to the adductor tubercle. Note, this muscle lies in the medial compartment between the medial and posterior intermuscular septa along with the other adductor muscles. The neural innervation, actions, and function of this muscle are similar to the "anterior adductors".

This muscle is innervated by the obturator nerve arising from the femoral plexus via nerve roots L3 - L4 and sometimes L2

Anterior view of the adductor magnus 

Posterior Fibers/Head of the Adductor Magnus (a.k.a. "ischiocondylar head", or "hamstring portion of the adductors")

The proximal attachment invests in the ischial tuberosity and sacrotuberous ligament (1, 2)

The distal attachment invests in the adductor tubercle and medial condyle (separated from the anterior head by the adductor hiatus) (1)

The posterior head of the adductor magnus is located in the medial compartment of the thigh along with the other adductors; however, this muscle is often referred to as the "hamstring portion of the adductor magnus" due to the similar embryonic development, origin (proximal attachment), action, and neural innervation.

This muscle is innervated by the tibial nerve splitting from the 

 arising from the sacral plexus via nerve roots L4 and sometimes L5 and S1 (1, 2).

Posterior view of the adductor magnus 

Although not commonly mentioned, the "anterior head" of the adductor magnus may appear as 2 separate sets of fibers with the uppermost nearly horizontal fibers referred to as the "adductor minimus" (1, 2). When this division is included in texts, the adductor magnus is referenced as having three heads:

Middle head of the adductor magnus (anterior fibers)

Of particular interest, the adductor minimus inserts just inferior to the quadratus femoris on both the ischium and femur, and it may receive neural innervation from the nerve to the quadratus femoris.

The proximal attachment invests in the inferior pubic ramus (1, 2).

The distal attachment attaches from just inferior the greater trochanter to the uppermost part of the linea aspera (1).

This muscle is innervated by the obturator nerve arising from the femoral plexus via nerve roots L2, L3, and sometimes L4. This muscle may also be innervated by an accessory nerve from the nerve to the quadratus femoris (shared nerve with gemellus inferior) via the sacral plexus originating from nerve roots L4, L5, S1 and sometimes S2 (1, 2).

Note, the adductor minimus and middle head are commonly fused and will be referenced as the "anterior head" or "anterior fibers" throughout this and other courses.

Adductor minimus 

The proximal attachment invests in the inferior half of the pubic symphysis and medial margin of the inferior ramus of the pubic bone (1).

The distal attachment invests in the medial surface of the body of the tibia, distal to the tibial condyle, proximal to the insertion of the semitendinosus, and lateral to the insertion of the sartorius (1).

This muscle lies in the medial compartment between the medial and posterior intermuscular septa. This muscle shares an insertion with the sartorius and semitendinosus, and is often reported as sharing a common tendon. The three muscles are known as the "pes anserinus" group.

This muscle is innervated by the obturator nerve arising from the femoral plexus via nerve roots L2 - L3 (1).

 The gracilis is the second-longest muscle in the human body (the sartorius is the longest).

Anterior view of the gracilis 

Adductor Group Relative Size and Muscle Fiber Type:

 The adductors are a large muscle group, contributing approximately 22.5% of the total muscle mass of the muscles crossing the hip joint (and about 14% of the mass of the lower extremity). In comparison, the hip flexors contribute 18.5%, the abductors 14.9%, and the 

 about 12.8% (3). The adductor magnus is the largest of the adductor muscles, with the 3rd most mass of any muscle on the human body. The adductor magnus is nearly as large as the vastus lateralis; however, the gluteus maximus is the largest with nearly 50% more mass (3).

 One study demonstrated that the adductor magnus is composed of a much larger percentage of type I muscle fibers than type II muscle fibers (4).

Muscle attachments, including adductors, on the head, neck, and shaft of the femur

Insertions on the posterior side of the proximal femur.

Attachments, Innervations, Size, and Fiber Type of the Adductors

The attachments and course of the adductor muscles are complex. These muscles occupy the medial compartment of the thigh between the medial and posterior intermuscular septa. For the sake of organization, we will describe the location of the adductor complex from proximal to distal.

 is deep to the inguinal ligament on the superior rim of the pubic ramus (the only adductor muscle attaching to the superior ramus) just lateral to the attachments of the 

 and adductor longus, and superomedial to the origin of the obturator externus. The pectineus comprises the majority of the floor of the femoral triangle. The adductor longus comprises the rest of the medial portion, and the psoas muscle comprises a small portion just lateral to the pectineus. Deep to the pectineus is the superior portion of the adductor brevis and the obturator externus. Superficial to the pectineus lies the contents of the femoral triangle, including the femoral artery, femoral vein, and deep inguinal lymph nodes in the femoral sheath and superficial to the fascia lata. The insertion of the pectineus on the pectineal line lies just inferolateral to the attachments of the psoas and iliacus (on the lesser trochanter) and is sandwiched between the attachments of the vastus medialis, adductor brevis, and proximal portion of the adductor magnus.

 on the inferior rim of the pubis lies inferior to the adductor longus attachment, sandwiched between the gracilis (anteriorly) and adductor magnus (posterior). The pectineus lies superior and slightly anterior to the most proximal fibers of the brevis, while the remainder of the muscle courses parallel and deep to the adductor longus. The adductor brevis occupies a "middle layer" of the adductor group between the pectineus and adductor longus and the posterior head of the adductor magnus. The anterior branch of the obturator nerve runs over this muscle, while the posterior branch runs behind it (3). The insertion of the adductor brevis is again sandwiched between the pectineus and adductor magnus on the pectineal line and the superior aspect of the linea aspera.

 is the most anterior (superficial) of the adductor muscles and will be an important landmark when palpation is discussed below. The origin of the adductor longus is of particular interest, as its narrow flat tendon is surrounded by the attachments of 4 other muscles. Implications have been made regarding fascial congruity between the adductor longus and 

 attachments (superior), and further implications may be made about the gracilis (inferior), the pectineus (superolateral), and adductor brevis (inferolateral) attachments. The insertion of the adductor longus could be viewed as a central hub between the attachments of the "anterior adductors" and the 

, which will be discussed further under "Subsystems" and "Fascial Integration". The adductor longus courses inferiorly and laterally to an insertion on the linea aspera, where it shares fascial slips with the adductor magnus and vastus medialis. Posterior to the most proximal portion of the adductor longus lies the adductor brevis, while posterior to the distal portion of the adductor longus lies the adductor magnus. As the adductor longus courses distally, it is covered by the sartorius and vastus medialis. Immediately anterior to the distal half of the longus is the continuation of the femoral vessels (from the femoral triangle) in what is termed the "adductor canal". The semi-triangular adductor canal is comprised of the longus as the floor (3), the sartorius as the anteromedial wall, and the vastus medialis as the anterolateral wall. The femoral vessels exit the adductor canal via the adductor hiatus.

The adductor longus muscle, gracillis muscle, and rectus femoris

By Anatomist90 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=22918055

 is a very large muscle, as the name "magnus" implies (3rd largest muscle on the body). The origin of this muscle extends from the inferior pubic ramus to the inferior ischial ramus, ending at the ischial tuberosity and sacrotuberous ligament. This is nearly the entire length of the lower portion of the pelvis. The adductor magnus may be divided into anterior fibers which originate on the pubic ramus (and receive neural innervation from the obturator nerve), and posterior fibers which originate on the ischium (and receive innervation from the sciatic/tibial nerve). Further, the anterior fibers are sometimes divided into a set of proximal transverse fibers known as the "adductor minimus," and a middle head that inserts proximally to the adductor tubercle on the linea aspera. At their insertion the posterior fibers are separated from the anterior fibers (middle head) by the tendinous adductor hiatus, inserting from the adductor tubercle to the medial condyle. The adductor magnus lies posterior (deep) to the other adductor muscle, except for the gracilis which lies medial to the adductor magnus for most of its length. Posterior and lateral to the adductor magnus are the posterior intermuscular septum and the semimembranosus.

 attaches on the inferior half of the pubic symphysis and medial margin of the inferior ramus of the pubic bone, anterior to the attachments of the anterior fibers of the adductor magnus and adductor brevis. The gracilis is a reasonably superficial muscle except for the proximal tendon which is partially covered by the adductor longus and pectineus. The gracilis courses along the medial thigh, superficial to the adductor magnus for most of its length; however, the semimembranosus and semitendinosus course between the gracilis and adductor magnus near the knee. The distal portion of the gracilis courses posterior to the vastus medialis, around the medial knee, inserting into the anterior and proximal tibia. This insertion is shared by the muscles of the pes anserinus group (gracilis, sartorius, and semitendinosus), often by a conjoined tendon resulting from the tendons of 2 or more pes anserinus muscles fusing prior to their bony attachment. Deep to the pes anserinus tendons is a small bursa, known as the pes anserine bursa.

Image of the pelvis: The attachment points of muscles on the acetabulum, ilium, ishium, and pubis 

Lateral View of Pelvis - By Henry Vandyke Carter - Henry Gray (1918) Anatomy of the Human Body (See "Book" section below)Bartleby.com: Gray's Anatomy, Plate 235, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=792148

Where are the Adductors Located?

These instructions have been written in an order that aids in locating each adductor muscle.

 With your partner in a supine position, you can make accessing the medial thigh easier by flexing and externally rotating the hip, and placing a bolster under the knee. Place your hand on their medial thigh and ask them to slightly adduct (lift their knee off the bolster). You should feel the adductors contract; that is, you should feel a sudden increase in tissue density. Cueing your partner to repeatedly adduct and relax should aid in continuing to identify the adductors as you palpate the medial thigh. Attempt to find the anterior border of the adductors where they abut the quadriceps, and find the posterior border of the adductors where they abut the semitendinosus and semimembranosus. Since only one of the adductors crosses the knee (the gracilis), you may use knee extension to differentiate between the adductors and quadriceps, and knee flexion to differentiate between the adductors and hamstrings. When differentiating between the adductors and hamstrings be careful not to mistake the gracilis, which is located on the medial thigh, for the hamstring muscles which are located more posteriorly. As you palpate the proximal portion of the adductors, attempt to identify the adductor tendons as they course to insert into the pubis. You may have your partner place one hand over their genitals to prevent accidentally grazing this area.

 In the same position as above, you may be able to visually identify the long slender adductor longus on leaner individuals. Ask them to adduct (lift their leg off the bolster) and the adductor longus may "pop out" just medial to the sartorius (which originates on the anterior superior iliac spine). Once you have visually identified this muscle, attempt to palpate its borders along the length of the medial thigh. An alternative way to palpate this muscle is by starting at the insertion. The adductor longus is the most anterior of the adductors with a dense flat tendon that originates on the pubic tubercle. Locate the pubic tubercle by palpating the superior border of the pubic symphysis, moving to the lateral edge, and locating the attachment of the inguinal ligament. The pubic tubercle is the round bony protuberance (bump) on the lateral side of the pubic symphysis where the inguinal ligament invests. "Fall off" this bony landmark slightly laterally and inferiorly. With your thumb, strum medial to lateral to identify the guitar string-like adductor tendons. Cue your partner to repeatedly adduct and relax as you follow the most anterior of these tendons distally to the relatively anterior muscle belly of the adductor longus. As you trace the belly of this muscle from proximal to distal, you should feel it "disappear" under the vastus medialis.

 Like the adductor longus, this muscle is often visible in leaner individuals. It may be possible to make this muscle more visible by cueing tibial internal rotation (have your partner turn their foot inward as much as they can without flexing the knee or moving the hip). Try palpating the gracilis cueing tibial internal rotation and relaxation while strumming anterior to posterior across the middle of the adductor group. You can try to differentiate this muscle from the other adductors by cueing external rotation and abduction at the hip (pressing the knee into the bolster) while cueing tibial internal rotation at the knee (turning the foot inward). Attempt to follow the gracilis to the pes anserine tendon on the proximal anterior tibia.

 The pectineus can be located by first palpating the pubic tubercle and the proximal tendon of the adductor longus (described above under "Palpating Adductor Longus"). The adductor longus lies parallel and immediately medial to the slightly deeper pectineus. Using the adductor longus tendon as a landmark, fall off the tendon laterally toward the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS). Palpate deeper to locate the belly of the pectineus. Having your partner adduct and relax, should confirm your palpation. Note, as mentioned above, the pectineus comprises most of the "floor" of the femoral triangle, and coursing superficial to this muscle are the femoral artery, femoral vein, and deep inguinal lymph nodes. If you feel a pulse you are either near or on top of the femoral artery, and palpating around and deep to this artery will likely result in palpation of the pectineus.

 Have your partner lie on their side with straight legs. Then have them flex the hip and knee of the top leg so they can rest that knee on the table. Now, the adductor magnus of the bottom leg can be easily accessed. The adductor magnus is bordered anteriorly by the gracilis and posteriorly by the semimembranosus (medial hamstring). If you identify the ribbon-like gracilis (with tibial internal rotation) and fall off this muscle posteriorly, your fingers can sink into the thick adductor magnus. Comparing muscle fibers that become denser with resisted knee flexion (medial hamstrings) to muscle fibers that become denser with the knee relaxed and adduction (lifting the knee off the table), should aid in identifying the posterior border of the adductor magnus and medial/anterior border of the medial hamstrings. With a little practice, it should be possible to palpate this muscle distally, between the gracilis and semimembranosus to access the tendon of the adductor magnus in route to its insertion on the adductor tubercle.

 Unfortunately, the adductor brevis is sandwiched between the pectineus and adductor longus anteriorly and the adductor magnus posteriorly. If this muscle becomes over-active or develops trigger points, it may be possible to palpate through the adductor longus and pectineus to address the change in tissue density. However, during palpation it may not be possible to differentiate adductor brevis fibers from pectineus and adductor longus fibers.

Cross-sectional image of the leg muscles including the adductors, hamstrings, and quadriceps

Henry Vandyke Carter - Henry Gray (1918) Anatomy of the Human Body (See "Book" section below) Bartleby.com: Gray's Anatomy, Plate 432

Palpating the Adductors

Hip: Based on this muscle's line of pull and having innervation from the femoral nerve, this adductor may be better at hip flexion than adduction (2, 12). The pectineus is likely a secondary internal rotator of the hip joint (2).

Pelvis: May contribute to an anterior pelvic tilt.

Hip: Adduction and flexion (2, 9, 12), and likely a secondary internal rotator of the hip joint (3).

Hip: Adduction and flexion (2, 9,12), and likely a secondary internal rotator of the hip joint (3).

Hip: Adductor, extensor, and external rotator (2, 9, 12).

Pelvis: May contribute to a posterior pelvic tilt (9, 12).

Hip: Adductor and weak flexor of the hip (2, 9, 12).

Knee: Internally rotates the tibia and flexes the knee (9, 12).

Note: Almost all of the anterior adductors lose their line of pull for hip flexion, and the posterior adductor magnus loses its line of pull for hip extension between 40 - 70º. These muscles actually gain a mechanical advantage at the end of the range, implying a function in assisting a change in the direction of the femur. That is to say, the posterior fibers of the adductor magnus have a better line of pull the more an individual flexes the hip, and the anterior adductors have a better line of pull the more an individual extends the hip (17).

Cadaver cross-sectional view of the anterior and posterior leg muscles

By Anatomist90 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=23990797

Obturator nerve, femoral artery, &amp; adductor brevis muscles in a cadaver

Integrated Function of the Adductors

Adductors

Arthrokinematics and the Adductors

Joint Actions of the Adductors

Our understanding of fascia has benefited from an exponential increase in research over the past two decades. This includes more research on its traditional functions as a passive medium that supports, protects, and encapsulates tissues (17), and its capacity to store elastic energy for explosive activity (18, 19). This also includes exciting new research that implicates fascia as a medium of communication. Levangin, hypothesized that this may occur via electrical, cellular, and/or mechanical signals (20). Histological studies have shown this tissue to be densely innervated by free 

 endings, as well as by Pacinian corpuscles and Ruffini endings (18, 19). This inspires consideration of fascia as a sensory organ with a strong link to motion and neuromuscular reflex. Further, Stecco et al. have demonstrated that deep fascia is arranged in layers that may 

 over one another (19). This finding is likely more responsible for inspiring various fascia-specific interventions and is most often referred to when describing fascia’s role in “interrupting” 

Fascia as a Passive Tissue (Traditional Functions):

Fascia as an Active Medium of Communication

 endings, Pacinian corpuscles, and Ruffini endings

May transmit the force of multiple muscles to aid in joint stabilization

Fibroblasts may play a role in increasing 

Image of the fascial system of the body connecting muscles

 The posterior head of the adductor magnus, piriformis, and biceps femoris invest in the sacrotuberous ligament. Research has demonstrated that contraction of these muscles may increase 

 of the sacrotuberous ligament, which may contribute to 

 and increased stiffness of the sacroiliac joint (SIJ), and resist sacral 

 (21 - 26). Tom Myers notes a continuity between the fascia of the sacrotuberous ligament, 

 in his hypothesized "Superficial Back Line" (27), Vleeming et al. notes the relationship between the sacrotuberous ligament, 

 in his "Deep Longitudinal Subsystem" (28), and the Brookbush Institute expands on Vleeming et al. by adding the piriformis and posterior head of the adductor magnus to this subsystem in the course 

 The abdominal fascia is comprised of the fascia of the 

, and may continue to share fascial slips with the tendon of the adductor longus (and potentially the tendons of the other anterior adductors) (28 - 32). The most direct evidence of this relationship is a study demonstrating a correlation between external oblique and adductor longus activity during two sitting postures (32). Tom Myers notes the relationship between the 

 and the adductor longus in his "Front Functional Line" (27), Vleeming et al. note the relationship between the external obliques, abdominal fascia, and adductors in the "Anterior Oblique Subsystem" (28), and the Brookbush Institute expands on Vleeming et al. by adding the rectus abdominis to this subsystem in the course 

: The pes anserinus tendon implies a synergy between the gracilis, semitendinosus, and sartorius (the pes anserinus group). This synergy is likely essential for medial stabilization of the knee, eccentrically decelerating tibial external rotation, and resisting knee valgus forces.

Cross-sectional image of the muscles that cross the hip joint

Core Subsystem Integration and the Adductors

Fascial Integration and the Adductors

 When assessed as a group during hip adduction, the most adductor EMG activity is likely to occur between 0° - 45° of hip flexion and the least EMG activity near 90° of hip flexion. Adductor EMG activity is also likely to increase with increased load during lower extremity exercises, and it may increase as an adaptation to power training during the initial force development and the deceleration phases of high-velocity movements. Conversely, increasing the stability demand of lower extremity exercises, unless very challenging, is unlikely to increase adductor EMG activity.

 (Pectineus and adductor brevis): The short adductors exhibit the most EMG activity during hip adduction in a hip-flexed position (e.g. 90° of hip flexion).

(Adductor longus, gracilis, and likely pectineus and adductor brevis): The anterior adductors exhibit the most EMG activity during hip adduction between 0 - 45° of hip flexion, and during hip flexion when starting from a hip-extended position (-20 to 40° of hip flexion).

 (Posterior head/fibers): The adductor magnus exhibits the most EMG when adduction is performed near 0° of hip flexion, and when adduction is performed with hip extension, especially near the mid-range of hip flexion (e.g 40°).

Adductor Longus Activity during Various Motions:

Adductor Muscles

Related Courses:

Course Summary: Adductors

Course Study Guide: Adductor Muscles

Course Summary Webinar: Functional Anatomy of the Adductors

Etymology of Terms Related to Adductors

Attachments, Innervations, Size, and Fiber Type of the Adductors

Where are the Adductors Located?

Palpating the Adductors

Joint Actions of the Adductors
2 Sub Sections

Fascial Integration and the Adductors
1 Sub Section

Electromyographic (EMG) Research: Contribution of Adductors to Exercise and Motion

Electromyographic (EMG) Research: Change in Adductor Activity with Dysfunction and Pain

Movement Impairment and the Adductor Complex

Common Trigger Point Locations and Referral Pain Patterns for the Adductors

Exercises and Techniques for the Adductor Complex
10 Sub Sections

Sample Intervention including Adductor Specific Techniques

Bibliography

Related Courses:

Comments

Guest

Adductor Muscles

Related Courses:

Course Summary: Adductors

Course Study Guide: Adductor Muscles

Course Summary Webinar: Functional Anatomy of the Adductors

Etymology of Terms Related to Adductors

Attachments, Innervations, Size, and Fiber Type of the Adductors

Where are the Adductors Located?

Palpating the Adductors

Joint Actions of the Adductors2 Sub Sections

Fascial Integration and the Adductors1 Sub Section

Electromyographic (EMG) Research: Contribution of Adductors to Exercise and Motion

Electromyographic (EMG) Research: Change in Adductor Activity with Dysfunction and Pain

Movement Impairment and the Adductor Complex

Common Trigger Point Locations and Referral Pain Patterns for the Adductors

Exercises and Techniques for the Adductor Complex10 Sub Sections

Sample Intervention including Adductor Specific Techniques

Bibliography

Related Courses:

Comments

Guest

Joint Actions of the Adductors
2 Sub Sections

Fascial Integration and the Adductors
1 Sub Section

Exercises and Techniques for the Adductor Complex
10 Sub Sections