Which muscles are the prime movers for hip extension?

• A. Iliopsoas and Rectus femoris
• B. Gluteus maximus, Semitendinosus, Semimembranosus, & Biceps femoris
• C. Gracilis and Adductor magnus
• D. Tensor fasciae latae and Sartorius

Answer: (B)

Hip extension moves the thigh backward at the hip joint. The strongest muscles for this action are the gluteus maximus, the primary extender, and the hamstrings group—semimembranosus, semitendinosus, and the long head of the biceps femoris—which cross the hip posteriorly and pull the thigh back when they contract. The other muscles listed mainly flex the hip or assist with other actions (iliopsoas and rectus femoris flex the hip; tensor fasciae latae and sartorius primarily flex or stabilize; gracilis acts as a weak flexor/adductor rather than an extensor). So the best answer is the gluteus maximus together with the hamstrings.