Daily Mobility Exercises by Dr. Kelly Starrett Forums General Zero progress in addressing super tight hamstrings…. Re: Zero progress in addressing super tight hamstrings….

#74907
AvatarNathan Richer
Participant

i’ll add this – if nothing else seems to work, i’d definitely go to Kaitlin’s suggestion of looking at your torso organization.

i learned that if you have poor pelvis stabilization, the body will (over)use the rectus femoris and the hamstrings to keep the pelvis stabilized. and what is really poor pelvis stabilization but poor ability to maintain torso organization during movements.  we talk a lot about bracing which i think can have the wrong connotation in contracting the wrong muscles to stabilize the torso, and thus the pelvis. most torso stabilization comes first from generating proper intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) where you can stabilize AND breathe. if you contract the torso muscles, you can stabilize but you won’t hold it long because you can’t breathe. (and yes, during extreme efforts like max lifts, you will need IAP and to contract muscles – but the time for the effort is very short).
in following up with Kaitlin’s suggestion, i’d have someone video you during a typical WOD where you will have tight hams and quads after. get the side view and front view and fill the frame. it could be that your pelvis is could be shifting all over the place as you start moving (you might be ok if moves are slow or in static) and as you fatigue.  if the loads and demands are high, you could get really tight hams and quads in their attempt to stabilize the pelvis and torso because you aren’t stabilizing correctly with IAP.
food for thought as you work towards the correct solution….