Movements of the Hip Joint

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By Alex
Last updated on

Extension:

Definition: Straightening the hip joint by moving the thigh and/or torso posteriorly (backward).
Image:
Muscles
Involved:
Exercises:

Flexion:

Definition: Bending the hip joint by moving the thigh and/or torso anteriorly (forward).
Image:
Muscles
Involved:
Exercises:
  • Sit up
  • Leg raise

Abduction:

Definition: Moving the thigh laterally (outward), away from the sagittal plane (midline).
Image:
Muscles
Involved:
Exercises:
  • Hip abduction machine
  • Cable hip abduction
  • Side lying hip abduction

Adduction:

Definition: Moving the thigh medially (inward), toward the sagittal plane (midline).
Image:
Muscles
Involved:
Exercises:
  • Hip adduction machine
  • Cable hip adduction
  • Side lying hip adduction

External Rotation (Lateral Rotation):

Definition: Rotating the thigh laterally (outward), away from the sagittal plane (midline).
Image:
Muscles
Involved:
*WORK ON ORDER*

  • Gluteus maximus
  • Gluteus medius (posterior fibers)
  • Psoas major
  • Iliacus
  • Sartorius
  • Piriformis
  • Gemellus superior
  • Gemellus inferior
  • Obturator muscles
  • Obturator internus
  • Obturator externus
  • Quadratus femoris
  • Biceps femoris (long head) (in knee flexion?)
Exercises:
  • Band-resisted clamshell
  • Seated external hip rotation

Internal Rotation (Medial Rotation):

Definition: Rotating the thigh medially (inward), toward from the sagittal plane (midline).
Image:
Muscles
Involved:
Exercises:
Alex from King of the Gym
Author
Hey! My name is Alex and I'm the founder and author of King of the Gym. I've been lifting weights seriously since 2005 in high school when I started a home gym in my parents' basement. I started writing about fitness in 2009. Then, in 2014, I got into writing home gym equipment reviews and I haven't looked back. My current home gym is in my own house and it's constantly growing and evolving. My goal is to help you build the home gym of your dreams! Read more about me here.

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