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../pevigouralt.gif (5K) Rectus Femoris Stretch

(The Sir Galahad)

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The Rectus femoris is the most frequently injured of the quadriceps muscle group(3).
Rectus femoris Stretch:- Start Position
  1. Kneel with your right knee on the ground and your left knee up (see diagram).
  2. Pelvic Neutral
  3. Anchor your scapulas.
  4. Chin gently tucked.
Rectus femoris Stretch:- Action
  1. Zip and hollow and breathe in.
  2. (Breathing out): lean forward while keeping your torso and pelvis upright.
  3. (Breathing in): maintain "Zip and Hollow", and at the same time, return to the start position.
  4. Five times each leg!
What this exercise does-
  • Teaches you to move your hip joints into extension while not moving your lumbar spine. You will find that your abdominal muscles working hard to achieve the desired lumbo-pelvic stability!
  • Stretches the Rectus femoris. This is a much neglected stretch.
Rectus femoris stretch (Scroll right>>>>...)
Rectus Femoris Stretch, the Sir Galahad:
Start Position:-
Pilates low back pain- Sir Galahad Start Position 		Action:-
Pilates low back pain- Sir Galahad Action
The Rectus femoris (part of the Quadriceps group), is prone to spasm and shortening. Rectus femoris
Watch Points for the Sir Galahad

  • The aim is to maintain a stable pelvis, not to do an all out stretch! Do not let the Rectus femoris and other hip flexor muscles cause your pelvis and torso to deviate.
  • Maintain chin tuck and scapular anchor!
Comments

All the hip flexor muscles tend to shorten and become over-tense. This means that during walking or running, the hip flexors de-stabilize lumbo-pelvic movement.
Reference
  1. Shirley A Sahrman: "Movement Impairment Syndromes" Publ. Mosby, 2002 ISBN 0-8016-7205-8
  2. Bruce Thomson Engage Gluteus maximus!
  3. Chris Mallac: Rectus femoris Stretch
  4. Consequences of Office Chair Sitting(3): Tight Hamstrings, Iliopsoas Trigger Points, Erector Spinae Muscle Fatigue.




Rectus femoris stretch © Bruce Thomson, EasyVigour Project scroll up^^^^.....