Wednesday Form: Hammies

3 muscles of the Hamstrings -- connecting from hip to knee. Responsible for hip extension and knee flexion.

Also responsible for back pain? Most people believe that tight hamstrings cause low back pain. Tight muscles pull disproportionately on the hips, reducing lumbar curve causing pressure and tightness in the back....makes sense.

But others believe that tight hamstrings are caused by a weak back. A weak back causes a compensatory shift of load to the hamstrings, hence the hamstrings become shortened and tight (outcome).



In either scenario, the concepts are imbalance and inflexibility. Stay loose and balanced. Hamstrings are a front-back-balance muscle group...they will be overpowered by hip flexors and abs if we work the front side too hard and ignore the backside.
See the CrossFit hamstring assessment here...short, sweet, and to the point.