Physics of the Gluteus Maximus Muscle

The anatomy of the gluteus maximus is comprised of three muscles. The gluteus medius is large and under the gluteus maximus muscle. It is not as large as the gluteus maximus which is the largest muscle in the body. The gluteus medius permits our thighs to engage in lateral or outward movements. Spreading the legs, for example, would be a rotation towards the outside controlled by the gluteus medius.

The largest, the gluteus maximus, is on the surface and often the focus of our workouts. It helps us stand and raise ourselves from a seated position. It also helps us straighten our legs muscles. The smallest, the gluteus minimus, rest towards the top and outside of our backside and folds under the gluteus maximus where it attaches to the top surface of the thigh bone. This strong little muscle connects to and works in conjunction with the other muscles, the tendons and bones in the pelvic region including the thigh.

All three work together, to maintain function, process forward movement and furnish integrity to the entire pelvic region. And since the thigh bone is connected to the hip bone, the gluteus maximus commits tremendous energy and guidance to our thigh bones (and muscles) as well as the lower back and vertebrae.

Without the gluteus maximus, our skeleton and specifically the spine would be without support. The glutes are the hinge required for operating the struts (our legs) that keep our skeletal structure upright. The health of our muscles is crucial to the fluid motion of our bones, large and small. Another reason the gluteus maximus is truly the keystone or foundation to the smooth operation of our pelvis.

The physiology of the gluteus maximus in conjunction with your back muscles is also geared to stabilize and propel the entire skeleton whether running, reaching, fighting or crouching. These are all positions that used to be imperative to survival for hunting and gathering.

Today the physiology of the gluteus maximus has been altered and impaired by a biological switch to a sedentary lifestyle. Even in the world of sports where tools and equipment have become an integral part of the game, we see more injury due to the interference by that equipment.

Often the gear increases the demand on the athlete surpassing the human’s true physical capacity. As a result, we see more hip replacements, chronic back conditions and sciatica in the sports arena and off the field.

The biology or biomechanics of the buttock muscles has more to do with thrust and speed when running. Besides the static function of the gluteus maximus, we know that it really leaps into action for us when we need to sprint to the finish line or escape from the predator.

Granted it anchors us increases our aptitude for control in many activities, but biologically it is intended for forward motion. Leaping, vaulting, sprinting and jumping are all forward movements requiring glutes that are in shape enough to propel or push our body weight up and forward repeatedly. Our gluteus maximus is behind: dunking a basketball or leaping for the highest apple, throwing spears or javelins, climbing a rocky cliff face or bounding over hurdles at the Olympics.