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Anatomy Chart
courtesy of FCIT
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The
Hamstrings
are actually comprised of
three separate muscles:
the Biceps
Femoris, Semitendinosus
and
Semimembranosus.
These
muscles originate just underneath
the Gluteus
Maximus on the
pelvic bone and attach on
the tibia.
The
Hamstrings
are primarily fast-twitch
muscles, responding to low
reps and powerful movements.
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| Functions |
The
"commonly thought of"
primary functions of the
Hamstrings
are knee flexion (bringing
the heel towards the buttocks)
and hip extension (moving
the leg to the rear).
An
example of knee flexion
is the leg
curl exercise and
an example of hip extension
is the stiff-legged deadlift
exercise.
In
movement, the hamstrings
"primary" function
is NOT knee flexion. In
walking or running, for
example, the primary function
of the hamstring is to decelerate
the lower leg in the saggital
plane. Positionally, knee
flexion in walking/running
occurs as a result of hip
flexion and plantarflexion,
again positionally. When
the body responds to gravity,
function changes (thank
you to Jonathan
Hewitt, APT - Athletic Enhancement
Systems, for this contribution!)
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| Exercises |
Exercises
that work the Hamstrings
include:
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- Lunges
- Standing
leg curls
- Body
leg curls
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