Lateral Fascial Sling

Glutes medius is an extremely important muscle in maintaining frontal plane stability of the pelvis. It forms, with the ipsilateral tensor fascia latae and contralateral quadratus lumborum, a lateral fascial sling whose main role is to provide frontal plane stability.

Gluteus Medius Weakness/Inhibition

Gluteus medius muscle can get weakened or inhibited by trivial habits in your daily life:

• Standing with body weight shifted mainly on one lower limb with the pelvis swayed sideways and hip joint adducted.
• Sleeping sideline with no billow in between two lower extremities will lead to the top leg flexed and adducted over the other leg.
• Sitting with crossed legs for a long period of time will potentially weaken the hip abductor muscles by putting the muscle in a somewhat elongated position (beyond resting physiological length).

When Glutes Medius is weakened or inhibited, the body must try to compensate by other muscles to maintain frontal plane stability. Specifically, the activity of ipsilateral tensor fascia latae and contralateral quadratus lumborum will increase, causing these muscles to become tight and overactive, which could lead to knee and lumbar spine dysfunctions.

~ Evidence-Based Exercises ~

According to an EMG study, the exercises that demonstrated significant muscle contractions of Gluteus Medius are;

• Single-Leg Squat
• Side Plank
• Single-Leg Deadlift