Tight Hip Flexors? (TEST FOR THE REAL CAUSE)

Here's a very quick hip flexor strength test you can use to discover whether your psoas muscles (deep hip flexors) are weak. When it comes to tight hip flexors, often the tightness comes as a result of underlying weakness. If you're finding that your hip flexor stretches aren't working, try adding regular hip flexor strength exercises into your running injury prevention workouts.

—————————

🔴 WATCH NEXT

—————————

Testing your active range of motion into hip flexion beyond 90 degrees will isolate your psoas muscles in particular. Weakness in psoas major will often result in protective tightness through your hip flexors. Combine targeted hip flexor stretching with specific hip flexor strengthening, and you'll find that your hip mobility will improve much quicker than if you were to focus on hip flexor stretches alone.

—————————

—————————

—————————

ABOUT ME: I'm James Dunne, a runner, sports rehabilitation therapist (similar to physical therapist) and coach based in the UK (Norwich and London).

Since 2007 I've been working with athletes focusing specifically on helping distance runners and triathletes overcome injury and improve performance through developing their individual running technique.

Running biomechanics and physical therapy are real passions of mine. I love to help runners run strong and stay injury free.

#Running #JamesDunne #PhysicalTherapy

[rogerhartley]

Another really simple and helpful video. Thank you!

[Mesqualito]

Thank you so much for all videos. Very informative, straight to the point. No useless intros, outros, no acting. Peace!

[runningwithmarc]

Another great video James! thanks for helping everyone :))))

[ktin]

This is exactly what I was looking for, thank you!

[alantay]

Great tip. Never knew how to test my hip flexors. Now I know. Thank you.

[laurallb]

James you absolute hero, your content has been FLAMES this week. You've explained injuries I didn't understand and got me working on them every day. Thank you - new subscriber here!

[karthikn]

Great explanation. new ideas and possibilities than giving the routine self tests or strength exercises. Very impressed with your work James. Thank you so much.

[HockeyRup]

What an astonishing week of videos. Every one since the ankle strengthening has been part of my hitlist of things to improve - it's like you read my mind. (Too much sofa time in lockdown)
Great job.

[AncoraImparoPiper]

Did the test, and my hip flexors are working. Good to know! Thanks for this video.

[guycollis]

Seriously, it’s like he’s watching me!!! Great content James, always useful!

[markpotts]

Thanks for this video James, I have tight hip flexor on my left and have always been told to stretch it but it never releases, when doing this test I can feel my psoas on my right side but on my left side my tfl goes into terrible cramp as you mention n the video so I suspect I could actually have a weak left psoas, how do I strengthen it tho when the tfl keeps taking over should I just foam roll the tfl before doing the psoas exercises, thanks

[buddy]

These are really good videos James, do weak hip flexors also inhibit the glutes and core ?

[markpinfield]

Hi James. What if u are doing the hip flexor test and feeling it in your adductor

[simplyaveragefitness]

Very true lots of people think their hip flexors tight but they just weak!

[jackbarton]

I can do this fine, though I don't really feel it in my lower abs, but rather at the top of my thigh in the middle. Do you think this is a problem?

[vhira]

What if you lean forward when you lift your leg up or if your pelvis roles back. Can this be a cause of tight hips?

[KenanTurkiye]

May be tight because it's weak, oooohh learnt a new thing today, thank you. ;)

[mindebrolis]

And what if I can easily hold that leg up, but my hip extension is awful? Stretching?

[arthurfaroux]

Hey ! Can u put english substitle please 🙏

[nortonowitz]

"so if you can lift it off the box a few inches..." yeah that's no problem
"...and hold it steady for 30 seconds."