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How different knee flexion angles influence the hip extensor in the prone position.

Yu-Jeong Kwon1, Hyun-Ok Lee

  • 1Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Sciences, Catholic University of Pusan, Republic of Korea.

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|November 22, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Knee flexion angle significantly impacts hip extensor muscle activity. Greater than 60° knee flexion increases gluteus maximus activity while decreasing biceps femoris and semitendinosus activity.

Keywords:
Gluteus maximusHamstring muscleProne hip extension

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Area of Science:

  • Biomechanics
  • Exercise Physiology
  • Musculoskeletal Research

Background:

  • Hip extensor muscles are crucial for movement and stability.
  • Understanding muscle activation patterns relative to joint angles is key for training and rehabilitation.
  • Previous research has not fully elucidated the specific effects of varying knee flexion on hip extensor engagement.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how different knee flexion angles influence the activity of key hip extensor muscles.
  • To determine the optimal knee flexion range for maximizing gluteus maximus (GM) activation.
  • To identify knee flexion angles that minimize the activity of biceps femoris (BF) and semitendinosus (ST).

Main Methods:

  • Twenty healthy participants performed maximal voluntary hip extension contractions at five knee flexion angles (0°, 30°, 60°, 90°, 110°).
  • Surface electromyography (sEMG) recorded activity of gluteus maximus (GM), biceps femoris (BF), and semitendinosus (ST).
  • Muscle activity was normalized to maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC), and hip extensor torque was measured.

Main Results:

  • Maximum hip extensor torque decreased significantly with increasing knee flexion angles (0° to 110°).
  • Biceps femoris (BF) activity was highest at 0° knee flexion.
  • Gluteus maximus (GM) showed significantly higher activity compared to BF and ST at 60°, 90°, and 110° of knee flexion.

Conclusions:

  • Hip extensor torque and hamstring (BF, ST) muscle activity are highest at 0° knee flexion but decline beyond 60°.
  • Knee joint flexion exceeding 60° is necessary to enhance gluteus maximus (GM) activation.
  • Angles greater than 60° knee flexion appear optimal for targeting GM while reducing hamstring co-activation.