The Vital Glutes: Connecting the Gait Cycle to Pain and Dysfunction

Poor posture is a faulty relationship of the various parts of the body, which produces increased strain on the supporting structures and in which there is less efficient balance of the body over its base of support. The

Muscle imbalances are ultimately reflected in posture. As mentioned earlier, postural muscles are innervated by a smaller motor neuron and therefore have a lower excitability threshold.

• Distefano et al. (2009): the best Gmed exercises, in order of effectiveness, are side-lying hip abduction, single-leg squat, and single-leg dead lift. • Distefano et al. (2009): the top exercises, in order of effectiveness, for the Gmax are single-leg squat, single-leg dead lift, and side-lying hip abduction.

A tight muscle will pull the joint into a dysfunctional position, and a weak muscle will allow it to happen

It is known that 60–70% of the walking or running cycle is spent on the stance phase, which is restricted to one leg at a time (with 30–40% being spent on the swing phase). If you recall the lateral sling discussion in earlier chapters, we know that the stance phase incorporates the abductors, adductors on the ipsilateral leg, and the QL on the con

The main muscles that can cause a neurological inhibition to the Gmax are the iliopsoas, rectus femoris, and adductors, as they all are classified as hip flexors, which are the antagonistic muscles to the hip extension action of the Gmax.

The Gmax also has a role in stabilizing the SIJs and has been described as one of the force closure muscles. Some of the Gmax fibers attach to the sacrotuberous ligament and the thoracolumbar fascia, which is a very strong, non-contractile connective tissue that is tensioned by the activation of muscles connecting to it. One of the connections to t

supinated position (tri-planar motion of plantar flexion, inversion, and adduction).

• Ayotte et al. (2007): the best exercise for the Gmax is the forward step-up. • Ayotte et al. (2007): the best exercise for the Gmed is the unilateral wall squat. • Bolgla and Uhl (2005): the top exercise for the Gmed is the pelvic drop.