Gluteus Medius – The Deltoid of the Hip

The gluteus medius is an incredibly important muscle. It is functionally important at the hip joint, especially with frontal-plane mechanics. And this can have implications with dysfunctional movement patterns (e.g., Trendelenburg gait) as well as postural distortion patterns of scoliosis. And just as fascinating is to see the relationship between glute medius structure and function at the hip joint and compare it to the structure and function of the deltoid at the shoulder joint. Indeed, the gluteus medius can be described as the deltoid of the hip.

dancers and ACL injuries

Learning from Dancers to Prevent Non-Contact ACL Injuries

The authors suggested that experienced dancers demonstrate safer landing strategies compared to recreational athletes. Dance training experience may provide protection against high-risk movement patterns. And thus, dance training may be modeled to prevent ACL injuries.

Criss-Cross Pilates mat exercise

Biomechanics of the Pilates Mat Abdominal Series

5 Pilates Mat Abdominal Series exercises: Single Leg Stretch, Double Leg Stretch, Single Straight Leg Stretch, Double Straight Leg Stretch, & Criss-Cross.

Tight hip abductor and/or adductor musculature can change the frontal plane posture of the pelvis, resulting in a scoliosis. Permission Joseph E. Muscolino. Kinesiology - The Skeletal System and Muscle Function, 3ed (Elsevier, 2017)

How Can Tight Muscles of the Hip Joint Cause a Scoliosis?

So, if hip abductor group on one side is tighter at baseline tone than the hip adductor group on that side, the pelvis will be pulled into depression on that side, resulting in a lumbar scoliosis that is convex on that side. Similarly, tight opposite-side hip adductor musculature can cause the same scoliotic curve.

Posterior views of the deep lateral rotator group (including the piriformis)

Muscles of the Pelvis

Pelvic musculature: 1. cross the LS joint onto the trunk 2. cross the hip joint onto the thigh/leg 3. pelvic floor muscles located wholly within the pelvis

Stretch of the gluteus medius (and other hip abductor musculature)

What is the “True” Function of the Gluteus Medius?

The major function of the gluteus medius is its “reverse” closed-chain action of pelvic depression at the hip joint to stabilize the pelvis when walking.