Final Presentation

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
Asher, A., & Hughes, G. (2018, November 7). Tight Quad Muscles and How They Relate to Low Back Pain. Retrieved December
3, 2018, from https://www.verywellhealth.com/quadriceps-and-back-health-how-do-they-relate-297060
Fitness Oriented. (2016, August 11). Retrieved October 26, 2018, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbgazEDPpJc
Homola, S. (n.d.). Chiropractic Vertebral Subluxations: Science vs. Pseudoscience. Retrieved March 13, 2019, from
https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/chiropractic-vertebral-subluxations-science-vs-pseudoscience/
Intervertebral Disk Anatomy, Function & Diagram | Body Maps. (n.d.). Retrieved February 18, 2019, from
https://www.healthline.com/human-body-maps/intervertebral-disk#1
Kamel, S. (n.d.). Is Leg Pain Connected to Spine Health? Retrieved from
https://www.thejoint.com/new-jersey/englewood/englewood-03007/198288-is-leg-pain-connected-to-spine-health
Leg Muscles Anatomy, Function & Diagram | Body Maps. (n.d.). Retrieved November 5, 2018, from
https://www.healthline.com/human-body-maps/leg-muscles#1
References
Long, R. (n.d.). How Tight Hamstrings Can Affect Your Lumbar Spine in Yoga. Retrieved November 26, 2018, from
https://www.yogauonline.com/yoga-anatomy/how-tight-hamstrings-can-affect-your-lumbar-spine-yoga
The Lumbar Plexus. (2017, December 22). Retrieved January 3, 2019, from
https://teachmeanatomy.info/lower-limb/nerves/lumbar-plexus/
Lumbar Spinal Cord Injury Overview. (2019). Retrieved January 17, 2019, from
https://www.shepherd.org/patient-programs/spinal-cord-injury/Lumbar-Spinal-Cord-Injury
McCall, P. (2016, May 6). Six Things to Know About Muscle Imbalances. Retrieved October 8, 2018, from
https://www.acefitness.org/education-and-resources/lifestyle/blog/5930/six-things-to-know-about-muscle-imbalances
Mich, H. (2017, December 29). Hamstrings vs. Quads. Retrieved December 10, 2018, from
https://www.livestrong.com/article/442551-hamstrings-vs-quads/
The Pelvic Girdle. (2019, January 05). Retrieved February 20, 2019, from https://teachmeanatomy.info/pelvis/bones/pelvic-girdle/
Rosene, J. M. (2001). Isokinetic Hamstrings:Quadriceps Ratios in Intercollegiate Athletes [Scholarly project]. In National Center
for Biotechnology. Retrieved January 17, 2019, from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC155432/pdf/attr_36_04_0378.pdf
Spinal cord injury. (2017, December 19). Retrieved January 17, 2019, from
References
Rosene, J. M. (2001). Isokinetic Hamstrings:Quadriceps Ratios in Intercollegiate Athletes [Scholarly project]. In National Center
for Biotechnology. Retrieved January 17, 2019, from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC155432/pdf/attr_36_04_0378.pdf
Spinal cord injury. (2017, December 19). Retrieved January 17, 2019, from
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/spinal-cord-injury/symptoms-causes/syc-20377890
Spine Curvature Disorders: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment. (n.d.). Retrieved March 13, 2019, from
https://www.webmd.com/back-pain/guide/types-of-spine-curvature-disorders#1
Swayback (Lordosis). (n.d.). Retrieved March 3, 2019, from
https://www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions/s/swayback-lordosis.html

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Physical Inequality: The

Effects of Muscle Imbalance

● Is there a muscle imbalance between the hamstrings

● Does it affect the pelvis

● Does it affect the lumbar spine?

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

● How can muscle imbalance between the hamstrings and

● The muscle imbalance between the hamstrings

● There is a natural imbalance between the hamstrings

● The base of the spine

● The tighter, stronger quadriceps will pull down on the

○ The Muscle Imbalance between the hamstrings and

○ The effect of hamstring tightness on the lumbar spine

○ The effect of lumbar joint manipulation on the quadriceps

● Different athletes from various sports

● Two groups: Low Back Pain and Normal

● My product will be a research article

● Hamstring and quadricep muscle imbalance is natural

3, 2018, from https://www.verywellhealth.com/quadriceps-and-back-health-how-do-they-relate-297060

Kamel, S. (n.d.). Is Leg Pain Connected to Spine Health? Retrieved from

for Biotechnology. Retrieved January 17, 2019, from

for Biotechnology. Retrieved January 17, 2019, from

Swayback (Lordosis). (n.d.). Retrieved March 3, 2019, from

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