Research Corner - Q&A Politeus Muscle: Exercises by Mike Demora | Date Released : 11 Oct 2001 0 comments Print Close Question Which exercises strengthen the Popliteus muscle? What is the action of that muscle? Answer It will give us a chance to delve into the world of functional anatomy. Far too long we have been looking at anatomy from a cadaver’s perspective. What I mean by that is, most of the anatomy that is available in the academic world and the fitness world has been based on cadaver studies. What has been done is to locate the muscle in question, cut the insertion and pull on it. Whatever bone moves in whatever direction is what we have been calling the action of that muscle. The problem with that logic is that it just isn’t logical……… Here is why. The first reason that comes to mind is that the individual is not alive, therefore the neural system is not active. We have learned from even our most fundamental physiology courses and weekend certifications that the muscles contract from a stimulus from the neural system. The second blaring problem with cadaver or gross anatomy is that the limb being pulled on a cadaver is acting in an open chained system and when we function in gait and in an upright position the lower torso will likely function in a closed chain environment and will have to deal with GRF or ground reactive forces. There are many other reasons why doing gross anatomy will not give you an accurate account of what the muscle actually does, but those two should be enough for now. Gross anatomy will tell us that the popliteus will help to concentrically flex the knee. If it works concentrically to accelerate knee flexion, it works eccentrically to decelerate knee extension, and works dynamically to stabilize the joint. It’s origin is the lateral condyle of the femur and the insertion is the posterior aspect of the proximal tibia. Basically, it is located behind your knee where it bends, slightly down toward the top of your calf. We must always remember that muscles work in groups, or synergies. It is a skewed view of the body when we try to isolate muscle function. The brain stimulates groups of muscles to produce and reduce force, when we try to isolate any given muscle we will throw off the natural balance between the synergies. Functionally, the popliteus stabilizes and eccentrically controls the tibio-femoral external rotation or force production during knee extension. The popliteus will concentrically work when we pronate or reduce force at heel strike. Flexion at the knee joint is a reduction of force. We flex the knee when the heel strikes and the forefoot absorbs the ground reaction forces. The weight of your body and gravity practically force your knee into flexion. We wouldn’t imagine it would need too much work in the concentric phase. If your client is having pain behind the knee and you think it may be in the popliteus, I would look to see if they are constantly standing with their knees locked. This will cause undo eccentric stress on the popliteus, which can lead to overload. Instead of looking to work the popliteus, a suggestion would be to look at the kinetic chain and see what musculature at the foot and ankle and/or what musculature at the hip is not working efficiently. The first set of muscles I would look at would be the hamstrings. The hamstrings share in the same functions of eccentrically decelerating knee extension, concentrically accelerating knee flexion and dynamically stabilizing the tibio-femoral joint. They are a much bigger muscle to identify insufficiencies and correct imbalances. Back to top About the author: Mike Demora Mike DeMora has been in the industry 15 years but has kept himself hidden away in Southern California for most of this time. He decided to accept the position as Director of Education for the National College of Exercise Professionals and has not looked back. Mike is a Board Certified Exercise Therapist (NETABOC.org) and has a Master's degree in Sports Science and Education. Full Author Details Related content Content from Mike Demora There is no related content. Please click here to see more... | Calcification of Femur Mike Demora | Articles No Thyroid and Weight Loss Mike Demora | Articles Gymnastics and Stunted Growth Mike Demora | Articles Weight Training and Youth Mike Demora | Articles Effect of Temperature on Performance Mike Demora | Articles Lyme Disease Mike Demora | Articles Teenage Track Athletes Mike Demora | Articles High Heart Rate with Exercise Mike Demora | Articles Thyroid and Weight Loss Mike Demora | Articles Cardiomyopathy Mike Demora | Articles Diarrhea and Running Mike Demora | Articles Dementia Mike Demora | Articles Horse Riding and Muscle Imbalances Mike Demora | Articles Red Marks from Lifting Weights Mike Demora | Articles Shin Splints Mike Demora | Articles Allergies and Exercise Mike Demora | Articles Females Running: Impact Issues Mike Demora | Articles Red Tingling Hands Mike Demora | Articles Mild Kyphosis Mike Demora | Articles Torn Cartliage Mike Demora | Articles Yawning During Exercise Mike Demora | Articles Swollen Fingers, Red Hands Mike Demora | Articles Hip Dysplasia Mike Demora | Articles Osgood-Schlatter Mike Demora | Articles Crash Diet Dangers Mike Demora | Articles Freestyle Training for Spot Reduction Mike Demora | Articles Emphysema Mike Demora | Articles Patella Femoral Syndrome and Squatting Mike Demora | Articles Chondromalacia and Exercises Mike Demora | Articles Graves Disease Mike Demora | Articles Leg Surgery: Low Impact Exercises Mike Demora | Articles Gout in Elbow Mike Demora | Articles Pear Shaped Female Runners Part 1 Mike Demora | Articles Pear Shaped Female Runners Part 2 Mike Demora | Articles Tips for Spotting Mike Demora | Articles Running: Sports Specific Training for 800m Mike Demora | Articles Muscle Twitches Mike Demora | Articles Politeus Muscle: Exercises Mike Demora | Articles Crepitus "Cracking" in Joints Mike Demora | Articles Big Legs and Thighs Mike Demora | Articles Breathing During Exercise Mike Demora | Articles Electric Muscle Stimulators Mike Demora | Articles Brown Adipose Tissue Mike Demora | Articles Achilles Tendon Surgery, Decreased ROM Mike Demora | Articles Glandular Fever Mike Demora | Articles Plantar Fasciitis Mike Demora | Articles Lower Cross Syndrome Mike Demora | Articles Blind Client: Training Programs Mike Demora | Articles Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness Mike Demora | Articles Hypertension Mike Demora | Articles Encephalitis Mike Demora | Articles Cold Hands Mike Demora | Articles Leg Burn when Changing from Running to Cycling Mike Demora | Articles Large Stomachs Mike Demora | Articles Stitch Mike Demora | Articles Water Polo Mike Demora | Articles Please login to leave a comment Comments (0) Back to top