The Gluteus Maximus
IT Band Issues, Low Back Pain, Hamstring Injuries, Knee Pain, Hip and Knee Injuries, Lack of Performance, Loss of Balance, Running Slow, or worse – Seeing NO Gains? Is this you? Read Below.
The Glute. Max.
Is definitely a nice muscle to look at and one of the most powerful muscles we have. Unfortunately many of us suffer from “Glute Amnesia”, the lack of this muscle to actually work. In rehab & performance this is a topic that is touched on quite a bit. If you’ve ever been to a good Therapist, Strength and Conditioning coach, or Performance Specialist, we bet they have checked if those “awesome to look” at muscles are actually working.
You’re probably wondering, “Are my Glutes. Working?”… Well Probably not. We know, we know, you lift like everyday, run and you where a high school all star. But before we try and prove each other wrong lets go over the Gluteus Maximus.
Why is your Butt so important?
This awesome muscle definitely connects to many things at its origin and insertion – Imagine how it would make you feel if it’s sleeping on the job.
At its Origin the Glute Max inserts into the Fascia of the gluteus medius; the external surface of the ilium behind the posterior gluteal line; the fascia of the erector spinae; the dorsal surface of the sacrum; the lateral margin of the coccyx; the sacrotuberal ligament.
At its Insertion the Glute Max inserts through the Upper fibers, to the posterior part of the iliotibial tract and the fasciae latae muscles; Through the Lower fibers, to the gluteal tuberosity of the proximal femur.
did you read all that 🧐? If you didn’t here’s the quickie:
The Glute Max inserts/connects with the Glute Medius, ilium, your lower back muscles, sacrum, coccyx, a ligament at the lower and back part of the pelvis, IT Band, TFL, and the femur.
That’s a ton of connections and things that can have issues if your Glute Max is not up to par .
Now that you know where it connects – here are its actions (what it does)
It performs extension of the femur from the flexed position in the hip joint; lateral stabilization of the hip and knee joints; external rotation of the femur.
The Glute Max helps you bring back the femur from a flexed hip position such as a deadlift, Romanian Deadlift, Running (extension of the hip). It helps us stabilize the hip and knee joints as well as helping us externally rotate the femur.
We can definitely agree that this awesome muscle needs to be functional during all activities: walking, using the stairs, running, weightlifting, dancing, and making the magic happen
Use it or Lose it!
You ever hear the saying “Use it’s or Lose it” well that is perfect when describing what happens to muscles that don’t get used properly. Your Glute Max is supposed to do many things, but, what happens if you sit on it for 8 hours, or your run looks more like a jog between mile 3 and 12 and you’re not going through a full running gait cycle? Unfortunately that really powerful muscle can become inhibited and atrophy. The under used Glute will recruit less motor units causing it to work less and eventually start shrinking : “You’re going to lose your Gains!”.
In the previous paragraphs you learned where the Glute. Max connects and what it does. Now, if it’s inhibited, it will cause energy leaks causing other muscles to absorb more energy and work harder as well. As the Glute Max atrophies it will cause tension in the areas where it connects.
If the Glute is sleeping on the job, it can be a reason for the IT Band issues your experiencing, that constant tension and pain in your lower back, that lateral hip pain, or knee pain. A non functional Glute Max can also be a catalyst for an injury such as ligament tear/sprain, lack of balance and loss of performance.
So, is your Glue Max working? Properly? Don’t Know? Come Check us out, send us a message or book directly using the Link on this page!
By: Hector Maradiaga Co-Founder | Performance Specialist
Infinity Sports Institute is dedicated in optimizing the human experience through sports science, sports medicine and technology. We believe Physical, Mental and Social components are pillars to optimizing the human experience.
For all your performance, recovery, rehab and consultant needs, make sure to contact us, or come visit us at Infinity Sports Institute in our Brickell Location (42 SW 6th ST). Click Here to Schedule Your Free RockTape Session!
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