Physical Inequality: The

Effects of Muscle Imbalance

Between the Hamstrings and
Quadriceps

Likhith Bomma
Independent Research GT
Ms. Bakhru
 Overview

● Is there a muscle imbalance between the hamstrings

and quadriceps?

● Does it affect the pelvis

● Does it affect the lumbar spine?

● Meta-analysis
 My interest

● I wanted to start learning about how the body uses muscles to

function the importance of the spine in muscle function.

Research Question

● How can muscle imbalance between the hamstrings and

quadriceps affect the lumbar spine?
 Thesis

● The muscle imbalance between the hamstrings

and quadriceps can damage the lumbar spine
though movement of the pelvis and can damage
other motor functions of the lower body.
 Background

● Muscle Imbalance
○ one muscle or muscle group is significantly bigger or
stronger than another muscle or muscle group
○ Repetitive motion and exercise of one muscle
● Lower Body Muscle Imbalances
○ Hamstrings and Quadriceps
 The Hamstrings and Quadriceps

● There is a natural imbalance between the hamstrings

and quadriceps
● The quadriceps are used more extensively in human
activities such as sitting and walking.
● If the quadriceps are too strong they can pull the
hamstrings, causing a muscle sprain
 The Pelvis

● The base of the spine

● The hamstrings and quadriceps are both connected to
the pelvis
● The pelvis and lumbar spine move adjacently to each
other
 The Pelvis

● The tighter, stronger quadriceps will pull down on the

pelvis
● The pelvis bends forward, and pulls the lumbar spine
with it
● The lumbar spine is out of the natural position and has
an excessive arch
 Data Collection

● Meta-Analysis

● Sources

○ The Muscle Imbalance between the hamstrings and

quadriceps

○ The effect of hamstring tightness on the lumbar spine

○ The effect of lumbar joint manipulation on the quadriceps

 The Muscle Imbalance

● Different athletes from various sports

● Mean Peak torque of the muscles were tested while
participants did certain exercises
● The Hamstring to Quadriceps ratio is naturally 50-80%
○ 100% is equal strength
● Age and sex did not affect the ratios of Hamstrings to
Quadriceps
Concentric and Rate of Torque Development
 Hamstring Tightness

● Two groups: Low Back Pain and Normal

● Hamstring TIghtness had moderate correlation in the
range of motion for pelvic tilt
● Less range of motion in the low back pain group
Range of Motion
 Final Product

● My product will be a research article

○ Describing my research, hypothesis, meta-analysis
○ Highlighting my findings
● Publish it on a research database
● Share research with medical experts
○ Doctors, Physical Therapists
 Significance

● Hamstring and quadricep muscle imbalance is natural

and affects everyone
● It can possibly damage the spine, which is central to the
nerve function of the body
● The spine is essential to the motor functions of the
whole body
 References

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