Hip Stretches & Quad Stretches


Chapter 12

Hip & Quad Stretches: The Anatomy Of The Quadriceps & Hip Flexors

Understanding the anatomy of both the quadriceps and hip flexors can help you better perform the hip stretches & quad stretches

The muscles located in the anterior compartment of the thigh include the hip flexors and knee extensors.

The following muscles are in this compartment:

Hip Flexors

Pectineus

  • Adducts and flexes the thigh
  • Assists in medial rotation of the thigh

Iliopsoas

  • The most powerful hip flexor with the longest range
  • Relatively hidden and composed of the following muscles:
    • Iliacus
    • Psoas major
    • Psoas minor
Hip Flexors | Hip Stretches
The iliopsoas is the only muscle attached to the vertebral column, pelvis, and femur
  • This helps produce the movement, as well as stabilize
  • However, with dysfunction, it can create problems, such as postural problems and pain.

Sartorius

  • Longest muscle in the body
  • Crosses two joints (hip and knee)
  • Flexes, abducts and laterally rotates thigh at hip
  • Assists in knee flexion

Quadriceps Femoris

  • The quadriceps muscle group extends the leg at the knee
  • Composed of the following muscles:

Rectus femoris

  • Runs straight down the thigh
  • Crosses two joints (hip and knee). This helps the iliopsoas in hip flexion.
  • Is known as the “kicking muscle”. This is due to the flexion of
    the hip and extension of the knee needed in the kicking motion

Vastus medialis

  • Located on the inside (medial) aspect of the thigh

Vastus intermedius

  • Located under the rectus femoris
Quadriceps


Benefits To Quad Stretches & Hip Stretches

The quadriceps muscles are used regularly for daily activities and even more during sporting activities. They are prone to getting tight, which can predispose an individual to strains.

Stretching will help:

  • Improve/maintain posture
    • Tight hip flexors can pull the pelvis and create posture problems
  • Decrease the likelihood of injury
  • Improve function


Hip Flexor & Quad Stretching Exercises

Prone Quad Stretch

Prone Quad Exercise - 1
Prone Quad Exercise - 2
  • Lie on your stomach and place a towel or belt around your foot.
  • Bend your knee by pulling on the towel until you feel a stretch.
  • Hold the stretch for 20-30 seconds.
  • Relax.
  • Do not arch your back during the stretch.
  • You can put a pillow under your hips for more comfort.


Side Lying Quad Stretch

Side Lying Exercise 1
Side Lying Exercise 2
  • Lie on your side with your injured leg up and your bottom knee bent in front of you to protect your back.
  • Reach back and grasp your ankle of your injured leg and gently pull towards your buttocks.
  • Move your knee back without arching your back until you feel a stretch in the front of your thigh.
  • Keep your knee as low to the floor as possible and maintain the position.
  • Hold the stretch for 20-30 seconds.
  • You can use a towel or a belt around your ankle to pull it towards your buttocks.


Standing Quad Stretch

Standing Quad Stretch Exercise-1
Standing Quad Stretch Exercise-2
  • Stand in front of a chair or something solid and hold on to it with one hand.
  • Grab the top of one ankle with one hand to pull the foot towards the buttock until you feel a gentle stretch on the front of the thigh.
  • Keep lower back neutral.
  • Hold the stretch for 20-30 seconds.
  • Return to the initial position.


Hip Flexor Stretch (v.1)

Hip Flexor Stretch v1-1
Hip Flexor Stretch v1-2
  • Kneel on one knee creating a 90-degree angle with the opposite hip (use a
    chair for support, if needed).
  • Tilt your pelvis backwards to flatten your lower back and transfer your weight forward until you feel a gentle stretch on the front of your hip of the lower leg.
  • Hold the stretch for 20-30 seconds.
  • Relax and repeat on the other side.
  • Maintain your upper body upright and your lower back flatten (not
    arched).


Hip Flexor Stretch (v.2)

Hip Flexor Stretch v2-1
Hip Flexor Stretch v2-2 | Hip Stretches
  • Sit on the edge of a chair and extend one leg back, keeping one cheek on the seat.
  • Keep your back neutral.
  • You should feel a comfortable stretch on the front of your hip.
  • Hold the stretch for 20-30 seconds.
  • Breathe normally throughout the stretch.


Stretching Guide Chapters
Chapter Selection

— Select a Chapter —
Chapter 1: Intro to Stretching
Chapter 2: Abdominal Stretches
Chapter 3: Adductor Stretches
Chapter 4: Bicep Stretch
Chapter 5: Calf Stretches
Chapter 6: Chest Stretches
Chapter 7: Forearm Stretches
Chapter 8: Glute Stretches
Chapter 9: Hamstring Stretches
Chapter 10: Back Stretches
Chapter 11: Neck Stretches
Chapter 12: Quadriceps & Hip Flexor Stretching
Chapter 13: Shoulder Stretches
Chapter 14: Tricep Stretches
Chapter 15: Myofascial Release

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  • Moore, K. L., & Dalley, A. F. (2006). Clinically Oriented Anatomy (5th ed.). Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
  • Nieman, D. C. (2011). Exercise Testing and Prescription: A Health-Related Approach (7th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
  • Sá, M. A., Neto, G. R., Costa, P. B., Gomes, T. M., Bentes, C. M., Brown, A. F., et al. (2015, Mar 29). Acute Effects of Different Stretching Techniques on the Number of Repetitions in A Single Lower Body Resistance Training Session. Journal of Human Kinetics , 177–185.
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