Bodybuilding Wizard

    Subscribe to Updates

    Join our mailing list to receive the latest updates from our team.

    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Trending
    • What is Plyometric Training: Definition and Exercises
    • In-Depth Review: Crazy Nutrition’s Ultimate CRN-5 Creatine Formula
    • 8 practical ways to enrich your meals with protein
    • The Benefits of Incorporating Boxing Into Your Workout Routine
    • Trap Bar Deadlift Vs. Barbell Deadlift — Differences and Similarities
    • Barbell vs. Dumbbell Shoulder Press For Shoulder Development
    • Comparison of squats and leg presses – which exercise to choose and why?
    • Barbell Seal Rows: Build a Thicker Back Faster
    RSS Facebook Twitter LinkedIn YouTube Pinterest Instagram
    Bodybuilding Wizard
    Subscribe
    • Home
    • Training
      • Weight training basics
      • Advanced bodybuilding
      • Workout programs
      • Home weight training programs
      • Cardio workout
      • Bodybuilding glossary
      • Exercise equipment
      • Weight training accessories
      • Weight lifting injuries
    • Exercises
      • Chest exercises
        • Middle chest exercises
        • Upper chest exercises
        • Lower chest exercises
      • Back exercises
        • Middle back (latissimus dorsi)
        • Upper back (trapezius)
        • Lower back (erector spinae)
      • Bicep exercises
      • Tricep exercises
      • Shoulder exercises
        • Front deltoid
        • Side deltoid
        • Rear deltoid
        • Rotator Cuff
      • Neck strengthening exercises
      • Quadricep exercises
      • Hamstring exercises
      • Calf exercises
      • Tibialis anterior exercises
      • Abdominal exercises
        • Upper abdominal exercises
        • Lower abdominal exercise
        • Oblique exercises
      • Core exercises
      • Forearm exercises
      • Glute & Hip exercises
      • Kettlebell exercises
      • Foam rolling & Stretching
      • Explosive (dynamic) lifts
    • Motivation
      • Videos
        • Motivational videos
        • Funny workout videos
      • Pictures
      • Quotes
      • Funny Fitness
      • Transformations
    • Diet
    • Supplements
    • Anatomy
    • FAQ
    • Health
    Login
    Bodybuilding Wizard
    You are at:Home»Anatomy»Hamstring Muscles: Functional Anatomy Guide
    massive hamstring muscles
    massive hamstring muscles

    Hamstring Muscles: Functional Anatomy Guide

    0
    By krunoslav on December 16, 2014 Anatomy
    Share
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email Tumblr WhatsApp

    The Anatomy of the Hamstring Muscles

    At the back of the upper leg behind the thigh (quadriceps) there are three muscles known as the hamstrings. They are the antagonistic muscles to the quads.

    The hamstrings in the back of the thigh consist of three separate muscles:

    1. The biceps femoris (long and short head)
    2. The semitendinosus
    3. The semimembranosus

    Each of these muscles originates just underneath the gluteus maximus (the main butt muscle) on the pelvic bone and attaches to the tibia. Every hamstring muscle is a two-joint muscle, whereas only one quad muscle is a two-joint muscle.

    The anatomy of the hamstring muscles
    The anatomy of the hamstring muscles

    Location of the Hamstring Muscles

    As we have already mentioned, the hamstring muscles run along the back of your thigh, from your pelvis to your lower leg.

    Other Names

    1. Thigh (Rear)
    2. Posterior thigh
    Hamstring Muscles: Functional Anatomy Guide
    Hamstring Muscles: Functional Anatomy Guide

    Biceps Femoris

    The largest muscle of the hamstrings is the biceps femoris. Like the biceps in your upper arm the largest of the hamstring muscles (biceps femoris) has two heads – long and short. The biceps femoris is the only two-headed hamstring muscle. The long head is the one toward the outside of the thigh. It starts at the bottom of the pelvic bone. The short head originates on the femur, and thus is the only part of the hamstring group that doesn’t cross the hip joint. Put another way, the short head is the only part of the hamstrings that’s involved exclusively in knee flexion (or bending), with no role in hip extension. The heads of the biceps femoris attach to both lower-leg bones (tibia and fibula), on the outside of the knee.

    Semitendinosus

    The semitendinosus is a smaller muscle that starts on the lower pelvis (sharing a tendon with the biceps femoris) and runs alongside the biceps femoris before attaching to the tibia, on the inside of the knee. It gets its name because it has a long tendon of insertion. Unlike the biceps femoris, which inserts on the fibula, the semitendinosus inserts on the tibia. It is a two-joint muscle, so it both flexes the knee and extends the hip or trunk.

    Semimembranosus

    The semimembranosus is similar to the semitendinosus in location and action. The semimembranosus lies alongside the semitendinosus on the inside rear of the thigh, beginning and ending in the same places. It has a longer tendon at the top and a shorter one at the bottom. The only notable difference between the two is that the semitendinosus has a longer tendon and inserts on the front of the tibia whereas the semimembranosus inserts on the back of the tibia.

    What Is the Purpose & Function of the Hamstring Muscles?

    Like the majority of muscles of the lower limb, the hamstrings are vital to gait as well as a number of other body movements.

    The primary functions of the hamstrings are knee flexion (bringing the heel toward the butt) and hip extension (moving the leg to the rear).

    Their main roles include assisting in walking, running and jumping, as well as having a role in trunk support. The hamstrings also have a role in rotating the leg both internally and externally, however this role is minor. They also have a role in knee stability during both gait and stance.

    More precisely:

    1. extension of the hip (long head of the biceps femoris, semitendinosus and semimembranosus, especially when the knee is extended);
    2. flexion of the knee (both heads of the biceps, semitendinosus and semimembranosus);
    3. outward rotation of the knee (both heads of the biceps) and the hip (long head of the biceps femoris);
    4. inward rotation of the knee and hip (semimembranosus and, above all, semitendinosus).

    Best Exercises For Balanced Hamstrings

    Because the hamstrings can produce three significant actions (extension of the hip, flexion of the knee, and outward and inward rotation of the knee), all those actions should be trained at some point.

    The basic function of the hamstring is knee flexion. Exercises that train that movement are a variety of leg curls such as seated, prone, dumbbell, and ball leg curls along with the glute-ham raise (GHR), a more challenging variation.

    The hamstrings (in tandem with the glutes) produce hip extension in such exercises as the squat, leg press, lunge, step-up, and reverse hyperextension exercises.

    The hamstrings also cause trunk extension and are particularly emphasized when the knees are held relatively straight during this motion. Examples include the stiff-legged deadlift, romanian deadlift, and good morning exercises.

    Any exercise that flexes the knee or extends the hips against resistance will work the hamstrings. Some of the best workouts include all varieties of:

    1. Leg curls (seated, lying, and standing)
    2. Stiff-legged deadlifts and Romanian deadlifts
    3. Lunges
    4. Squats, etc.

    Despite the hamstring muscles arguably being the most important muscle group for athletes, they are often laggards in physique competitions. You may see an entire lineup of bodybuilders with massive upper bodies and thick quads, but few will have well-developed hamstrings.

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email WhatsApp
    krunoslav
    • Twitter

    Hey! My name is Petar, and I'm the owner and author of Bodybuilding Wizard. I started this website back in late 2014, and it has been my pet project ever since. My goal is to help you learn proper weight training and nutrition principles so that you can get strong and build the physique of your dreams!

    Related Posts

    The Influence of Hormones on Muscle Growth and Development

    Setting Realistic Body Fat Goals

    Closed and Open Kinetic Chain Exercises

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    You must be logged in to post a comment.

    WE ARE SOCIAL
    • Facebook 181
    • Twitter 472
    • YouTube 101
    • Instagram
    RECENT POSTS
    January 31, 2023

    What is Plyometric Training: Definition and Exercises

    9.0
    January 28, 2023

    In-Depth Review: Crazy Nutrition’s Ultimate CRN-5 Creatine Formula

    January 22, 2023

    8 practical ways to enrich your meals with protein

    January 17, 2023

    The Benefits of Incorporating Boxing Into Your Workout Routine

    January 15, 2023

    Trap Bar Deadlift Vs. Barbell Deadlift — Differences and Similarities

    RECENT COMMENTS
    • Justin Dew on Designing your own home gym
    • krunoslav on Meet Your Muscles: How muscles are named?
    • Christina on Meet Your Muscles: How muscles are named?
    • jack on Types Of Whey Protein
    • igtropin on Stiff-Leg Deadlift Technique
    LATEST GALLERIES

    Subscribe to Updates

    Join our mailing list to receive the latest updates from our team.

    ABOUT
    ABOUT

    We are a group of bodybuilding enthusiasts and this is our effort to have all the details about bodybuilding on a single website. We strive to educate and inform our visitors so that they can make the correct training, nutrition, and supplement decisions on their own. Bodybuilding Wizard will make your dream body your reality and take you to a whole new level!

    POPULAR POSTS
    April 2, 2014

    Lying Leg Curl Exercise Guide

    February 18, 2019

    Meet Your Muscles: How muscles are named?

    March 30, 2014

    Workout Frequency

    BODYBUILDING WIZARD
    Bodybuilding Wizard Footer Logo
    Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest YouTube
    • About
    • Write for us
    • Privacy
    • Contact
    • Terms of Use
    • Friends
    • Advertising
    Copyright © 2014-2022 BodybuildingWizard. All rights reserved. Powered by WordPress. Made with love and lots of caffeine.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    Sign In or Register

    Welcome Back!

    Login to your account below.

    Lost password?