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Muscles of the Hip & Leg

Jun 14, 2011 | By Miguel Cavazos
Muscles of the Hip & Leg
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Humans have the longest legs among bipedal mammals and they function like springs that store and release energy during physical activity like running. Muscles in your hips and legs start working immediately when you get out of bed in the morning. These muscles are critical for all your upright physical movements, including standing still and helping stabilize bones and joints throughout your lower body.

Gluteus Maximus

The glutus maximus forms part of your hips and your buttocks. A 2006 study in the "Journal of Experimental Biology" indicates that this muscle is particularly active during running activities. Your gluteus maximus controls flexion in your truck and how fast you swing your legs while running.

Hip Abductors

Your hip abductor muscles form the upper and outer portion of your legs or thighs. These muscles help you perform movements like drawing your extended legs away from the midline of your body to point your toes out to the side.

Hip Flexors

Hip flexor muscles comprise the inner part of your hips. These muscles include the iliacus and psoas major muscles. Laying down face-up on the floor and bringing your knees up toward your chest requires this muscle group. Your hip flexors also help you rotate your hips laterally and help you flex your torso when your legs are fixed.

Quadriceps

The quadriceps are the group of muscles that form the front and sides of your thighs. These muscles start at the upper part of your pelvis and come together at your knees. Standing, walking and most physical activities that involve your legs recruit your quadriceps muscles.

Hamstrings

Your hamstrings form the back part of your thighs underneath the gluteus maximus. These muscles help control the movement of the lower part of your leg while walking and running. Fast and powerful movements like the lateral jump also recruit your hamstring muscles.

Hip Adductors

Hip adductor muscles form the inner part of your thigh and help stabilize your hip joint. This muscles help bring your legs in toward the midline of your body. Exercise movements such as lunges, wide stance squats, hip adductions and side lunges recruit your hip adductors.

Gastrocnemius

The gastrocnemius muscle is the largest muscle in your calves, which form the lower part of your legs. This muscle propel your body through space during walking and running activities. Standing on your tiptoes also activates the gastrocnemius muscle. Exercise movements like calf raises can help you strengthen this muscle.

References

Article reviewed by Lisa Dittrich Last updated on: Jun 14, 2011

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