Function of the M. iliopsoas
The large M. iliopsoas generally acts as an antagonist of the abdominal and gluteal muscles. The main function of the iliopsoas muscle in this context is the flexion of the hip joint. It also performs an important function in straightening the upper body from a supine position.
The movement performed by the iliopsoas muscle can be compared to throwing a ball into a soccer. A further important function of the iliopsoas muscle becomes clear when looking at the running process. In running, walking and jumping, the iliopsoas serves to move the leg forward, up and out.A possible disease-related failure of the M. iliopsoas can be at least partially compensated for by targeted training of other muscle groups.
Its function as the flexor muscle of the hip joint can be taken over by, for example, the thigh-band tensioner (Musculus tensor fasciae latae), the straight thigh muscle (Musculus quadrizeps femoris) and the tailor muscle (M. sartorius). In the course of aging, the muscle fibers of the iliopsoas muscle shorten enormously in many people. This structural change results in an age-related limitation of its function.
For this reason, many older people suffer from problems when walking. Furthermore, the increasing shortening of the iliopsoas muscle often causes problems when climbing stairs. If severe movement restrictions in the hip area occur in younger patients, this can be a first indication of the presence of the so-called iliopsoas syndrome.
The affected patients usually suffer from severe pain, which is mainly located at the front of the hip, the lumbar spine and the thighs. Furthermore, this pathological overloading of the iliopsoas muscle is often manifested by an acute limitation of the muscle’s function. Patients suffering from iliopsoas syndrome have difficulty walking, running and jumping.
In addition, the ability of the hip joint to bend is often enormously restricted. In most cases, the cause of this disease is due to overloading or incorrect movement sequences. For this reason, the function of the M. iliopsoas can be maintained for a long time through targeted warm-up training with intensive stretching. In addition, periods of stress on the iliopsoas muscle should be regularly replaced by rest and relaxation phases.
