Hip Flexor Tightness

Hip extension-biased exercises should not be the default first choice because they can bias the entire body into extension prematurely. The term hip flexor tightness is imprecise because one person may have restricted movement while another has excessive movement and both describe the sensation as tightness. Anterior pelvic tilt causes hip flexors to become more active because they function as anti-gravity muscles in that position. The hamstrings are a central treatment target because they assist posterior pelvic tilt and reciprocally inhibit hip flexor activity. Hip flexor tightness is better understood as a concentric orientation of the hip flexors rather than simply increased muscle tone. If hip extension improves when the knee is extended during assessment, the rectus femoris is implicated because it crosses both the hip and knee. Ober's test can efficiently assess hip extension and evaluate compensations across multiple planes.