"hello,
I'm a last year student kinesiology from Belgium. I was on the Internet and found your profile...I have an question for you about de dominance of the hamstrings vs gluteus maximus. How can we see if the hamstring is dominant? By a test?
thanx, ive"
As discussed in a previous post, the hamstrings and gluteus maximus get confused as to who should be the boss. The hamstring extends the hip, but so does the gluteus maximus; therefore, they are called synergists. Both muscles coordinate contractions to extend and hyperextend the hip. The gluteus maximus is and should be the primary hip extensor. But, sometimes, via synergistic dominance, the hamstring will act as the primary hip extensor. This muscular imbalance will lead to faulty movement patterns and possible anterior hip pain. Stuart McGill calls this gluteal amnesia and I call it a lazy bum!
In an anterior pelvic tilt, Vladamir Yanda describes this situation as lower crossed syndrome. The hip flexors are typically tight and the anterior abdominal muscles are typically weak. This unequal pull on the front side of the pelvis pulls it into an anterior tilt. In addition, the gluteal muscles are typically weak and the lumbar extensors are typically tight. This relationship of tightness and weakness results in the lower crossed syndrome. With this condition, the gluteal muscles cannot activate effectively. Therefore, looking at posture can guide your assessment.
To assess for hamstring dominance, several testing procedures can be used.
Perform a glute bridge and palpate for immediate hamstring activation. Have the athlete lie on his/her back. Instruct the athlete to lift his/her hips up. With your fingers on the hamstring musculature, palpate for immediate contraction. Those with hamstring dominance and weak gluteals will immediately contract the hamstrings to lift the hips. The movement at the hips is hip extension, a movement that should be controlled by the primary hip extensor, the gluteus maximus. The goal would be to have minimal to no hamstring activation during this exercise.
According to Shirley Sahrmann in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Movement Impairment Syndromes, hamstring dominance can be seen during prone hip extension. Have the client lie prone (on his/her stomach) on an assessment table. Palpate the greater trochanter and have the athlete extend the hip. The greater trochanter should maintain its position or should move slightly posteriorly. With hamstring dominance, the greater trochanter will translate anteriorly or in an anterior medial direction.
According to the late Vladamir Yanda, the movement pattern for hip extension can also reveal poor gluteal activation. The athlete is assessed in the same prone position as described above. In this test, make sure the athlete’s feet are hanging off the table. If you are standing on the right side of the athlete, place your fingers on the contralateral (left side) low back extensors and thumb on the gluteus maximus on the right side. With your left hand, place your fingers on the athlete’s right hamstring muscle. Ask the athlete to extend his/her right hip. Feel for and take note of the sequence of muscle contraction. The correct sequence is right hamstring, right gluteus maximus and left lumbar extensor activation. An incorrect pattern would show lumbar extensor activation before gluteus maximus activation. This incorrect sequence indicates poor gluteas maximus recruitment. Also look for trembling of muscles, anterior pelvic tilt, hyperextension of the lumbar spine and significant upper trapezius activity on the contralateral side (in this case the left).
I hope that answers your question,
Thanks for reading,
Jon-Erik Kawamoto
