Which muscle group provides the main drive for hip extension during a swing or squat movement?

• A. Tibialis anterior
• B. Gluteus maximus and hamstrings
• C. Latissimus dorsi
• D. Quadriceps only

Answer: (B)

The main drive for hip extension comes from the gluteus maximus with assistance from the hamstrings. The gluteus maximus is the strongest hip extensor and powers moving the thigh backward when you rise from a squat or push the leg back during a swing. The hamstrings cross the hip and knee and help extend the hip as well, providing additional force and pelvic stability, especially when the knee is flexed or when extra hip extension is needed.

The other muscles listed don’t primarily move the hip in extension: the tibialis anterior mainly dorsiflexes the ankle, the latissimus dorsi acts on the back and shoulder region, and the quadriceps primarily extend the knee rather than the hip.