If a client has trouble sitting upright with legs straight which muscles are likely tightest? Hip flexors? Hamstring?

Hi Jo,

I suggest that you perform tests for the individual muscles. I do not know whether your ACE Personal Trainer Manual contains information for it but I found a link where you can test all the muscles for flexibility http://www.exrx.net/Lists/Tests.html . Thus, you should be able to identify them. Be mindful that there is a school of thought (to which I subscribe) that says that muscles are tight to protect vulnerable areas, and stretching for its own sake may be counterproductive.

Karin Singleton
www.meltnc.com

Hello Jo,

Tight hamstrings would likely be the culprit, as opposed to tight hip flexors which would help keep the person sitting in that position.

You will want to pay close attention to the client and do not let them move past the point of discomfort in case it is due to an injury. Other muscles used to help lift could also be weak.

Therefore, figure out if this is due to poor flexibility, poor strength, or both, with open communication with the client. Good luck.

Many people have trouble sitting in this manner.
If I have a client that really struggles with this I will not have them sit without support for their backs

I agree with Karin also.

Usually it's more than just one muscle causing this inability. Try using stability balls or have them sit with their knees bent.

We really don't sit this way much but we were very curious why both of us--at different parts of the age spectrum but both with strong cores, including lower backs--would have this problem. I'm suspecting hamstrings as a major player so we have been doing Pilates (and I do yoga) and, yes, Julie, she is a runner so that makes sense.

Hello Jo,

Hamstrings, glutes and low back could all be contributing culprits in this situation. However, there are other muscles invovled at the hip joint that could be limiting factors as well. If the adductors are tight or glute medius is weak, along with the limitations of the more major culprits, sitting up with legs straight will be challenging.

I am in agreement with both Julie and Karin in this instance. Explore these areas cautiously. Everyone has different degrees of limitations in these areas so finding which ones are the most active in limiting your client's ability to sit upright should prove to be an interesting journey.

Harold E. Rose, Jr.
Ab-Sutra Health and Fitness Coaches, LLC
www.absutrafitness.com

Be Healthy, Be Ageless, Be You.

What is the client sitting on? Can he/she sit upright when sitting on different surfaces (i.e. a seat as opposed to the floor).