A couple of areas of the physique are rather less seen to the proprietor than different individuals, however that doesn’t imply the hard-to-see areas aren’t essential. The rear thigh and buttocks present a case on this level. Whereas these areas are largely out of your imaginative and prescient line (except you line up in entrance of a mirror) these decrease physique elements are very seen to everybody else. Sadly, the gluteal and hamstring muscle mass can get a bit comfortable and underdeveloped simply because they aren’t entrance line and visual, and subsequently it’s straightforward to overlook about any direct train for these areas. It seems that along with creating the plain contours to your decrease physique, these muscle mass are additionally mechanically essential for “small” issues like strolling and climbing steps.1 For that motive, it’s straightforward to suppose that your cardio workouts ought to care for these areas, however often that isn’t sufficient. In case your mirror tells you that your decrease physique and notably the gluteal and hamstring areas have been lagging a bit, the reverse hyperextension train on a bench will present a superb software to appropriate this deficiency and make it considered one of your strengths.
Muscle Construction and Operate
The gluteus maximus is the biggest of all of the hip muscle mass and a serious thigh extensor.2 It attaches to the hip bones, the sacrum, the lumbar space of the decrease again, and the posterior a part of the femur. It has one other attachment on the iliotibial band of the fascia latae, which prevents the thigh from bowing out when the muscle mass of the thigh contract. When the torso is mounted and the hip joint is free to maneuver, this muscle extends the femur bone of the thigh, which is the perform of the reverse hyperextension.3
Reverse hyperextensions activate hamstring muscle mass on the posterior thigh.3 Though you may not suppose that the hamstrings have a lot to do with the buttocks aside from being neighbors, they supply a part of the form that accentuates a agency buttock. As well as they supply the sweeping form to your posterior thigh. The hamstring muscle mass include the lengthy head of the biceps femoris, semimembranosus and semitendinosus muscle mass.2 The lengthy head of the biceps femoris begins on the ischial tuberosity, which is the bony a part of your hip that you just sit on when you’re in a chair. The fibers of the quick head of the biceps femoris begin on the decrease one-third of the femur bone simply above the knee. Each heads of the muscle fuse right into a thick tendon, which crosses the lateral facet of the knee joint to connect to the fibula bone (and a few ligaments) on the knee.2 The muscle fibers of the semitendinosus muscle attaches to the ischial tuberosity and inserts right into a cord-like tendon that connects to the medial facet of the superior a part of the tibia (the big medial bone of the leg). The semimembranosus muscle additionally begins on the ischial tuberosity and it attaches to the posterior a part of the medial condyle of the tibia slightly below the knee joint.2 The entire hamstring muscle mass flex the knee. Nonetheless, in addition they assist to increase the thigh on the hip joint4 and that is the first motion concerned within the reverse hyperextension.3
The reverse hyperextension additionally prompts a bunch of three postural backbone muscle mass, which collectively are known as the erector spinae.5 The iliocostalis muscle is probably the most lateral of the erector spinae group. It begins from the iliac crest of the hip bone, and inserts into the ribs.2 The intermediate muscle of the erector spinae group is the longissimus muscle, which runs virtually the complete size of the again. The spinalis muscle runs up the middle of the again from the lumbar and decrease thoracic spinous processes of the vertebrae to the spinous strategy of the thoracic and neck (cervical) areas. Collectively, the erector spinae group are robust extenders of the vertebral column.2
1. Place your toes behind the pads of the reverse hyperextension machine. Some benches have a two-pad system, and you’d as a substitute place your toes between the pads in these machines. In the event you should not have a machine, you should use a excessive Roman chair.
2. Lie on the highest pad, in order that your pelvis is on the bench however your hips and thighs dangle off the again. Grip the handles (or the facet of the bench) to maintain your torso from shifting on the bench.
3. Hold the knees straight and flex the hip joints in order that the thighs and legs are pulled in direction of the chest.
4. Reverse the motion by extending the thighs in a gradual and managed trend, whereas lifting the legs backward and upward. Though it’s known as “hyperextension,” it’s really finest if you don’t overextend the hip on this motion, as this might trigger extreme torque via the decrease again backbone and compress the intervetebral disks. This might enhance the danger for damage within the decrease again. Stopping with the thighs parallel to the ground will present muscle activation and never enhance the danger of incurring decrease again damage.6
5. Repeat the sequence for 10-15 repetitions in a gradual and managed trend in each instructions.
Reverse hyperextension might enhance hip flexor and hamstring flexibility just a little. Nonetheless, the best advantage of this train is that it’ll vastly enhance, form, strengthen and agency your gluteal and hamstring muscle mass. In truth, it’s possible you’ll discover that your decrease physique workouts all will appear a bit simpler in a couple of weeks, and that can have lots to do with the oblique enhancements that you just acquire by doing reverse hypertensions. After a couple of months, you’ll not want to fret about these muscle mass which can be out of sight, as a result of you’ll be getting loads of compliments from those that have line of view of your new decrease physique.
References:
1. Tikkanen O, Haakana P, Pesola AJ et al: Muscle Exercise and Inactivity Intervals throughout Regular Each day Life. PLoS One 2013;8:e52228.
2. Moore, Ok.L. and A.F. Dalley. Clinically oriented Anatomy, Fourth Version. Lippinot, Williams & Wilkins, 1999; pp. 467-474; 554-560; 563-571.
3. Kang SY, Jeon HS, Kwon O et al: Activation of the gluteus maximus and hamstring muscle mass throughout inclined hip extension with knee flexion in three hip abduction positions. Man Ther 2013.
4. Ono T, Higashihara A, Fukubayashi T: Hamstring capabilities throughout hip-extension train assessed with electromyography and magnetic resonance imaging. Res Sports activities Med 2011;19:42-52.
5. Ekstrom RA, Osborn RW, Hauer PL: Floor electromyographic evaluation of the low again muscle mass throughout rehabilitation workouts. J Orthop Sports activities Phys Ther 2008;38:736-745.
6. Arab AM, Ghamkhar L, Emami M et al: Altered muscular activation throughout inclined hip extension in ladies with and with out low again ache. Chiropr Man Therap 2011;19:18.
