Tight Hip Flexors? (Self-Assessment | Stretches | Exercises)

Summary by Krater

Physical therapist Dr. Tony Comella explains hip flexor anatomy, demonstrates the Thomas test and modified Thomas test to objectively assess hip extension, and provides dynamic hip flexor stretches and eccentric exercises to improve hip extension range of motion.

From the video

Answers: How do I test for hip flexor tightness and improve hip extension range of motion?

• hip flexor anatomy and function
• Thomas test
• modified Thomas test
• pelvic tilt
• dynamic hip flexor stretches
• eccentric hip extension exercises

Exercises

• half kneeling hip flexor stretch with overhead reach · foam pad
• couch stretch · chair, foam pad
• split squat with hip extension focus · bodyweight
• split squat with front foot elevated · step, bodyweight
• bulgarian split squat · bench, bodyweight

What it concludes

• The modified Thomas test displays poor reference validity and reliability when pelvic tilt is not controlled.
• When pelvic tilt is controlled, the modified Thomas test is a valid test for evaluating peak hip extension angle.
• Hip extension angle should be measured in reference to the pelvis rather than the table to minimize measurement error.