quadriceps
Front leg muscle
The quadriceps is the large four-part muscle at the front of the thigh, responsible for extending the knee.
Often shortened to quads: My quads are burning after those squats.
The muscle group is essential for walking, running, jumping, and climbing stairs.
Straight-fibered muscle
- patellaTriangular bone covering knee
- tendonMuscle-to-bone connector
- femurUpper leg bone
- kneeLeg's middle hinge
anterior · thigh · extensor · insertion · origin · fascia · sartorius · adductor
Lowering exercises for legs
- lungesSudden forward movements
- leg pressLower-body resistance machine exercise
- leg extensionSeated thigh-strengthening exercise
- step-upsGradual raises or advances
wall sit · front squat · pistol squat · box jumps · cycling · running · sprinting · jumping
Reduction in size
- fibersThreadlike structural strands
- hypertrophyTissue enlargement via cells
- atrophyWasting from disuse
- innervationNerve supply to tissue
activation · recruitment · fatigue · recovery · protein synthesis · neuromuscular · spindle · tension
Excessive stretching force
- tearTo pull apart
- tendinitisInflamed tissue joining muscle to bone
- patellar tendonKneecap-to-tibia ligament
- ruptureViolent tearing apart
rehabilitation · physical therapy · swelling · bruising · weakness · imbalance · overuse · compensation
Maximal barbell competition sport
- enduranceSustained effort capacity
- powerEnergy transfer rate
- staminaCapacity for sustained effort
- resistanceCapacity to withstand force
load · intensity · capacity · force · explosiveness · maximal · progressive overload · muscle building
rectus
Straight-fibered muscle
knee · anterior · thigh · extensor · insertion · origin · fascia · sartorius · adductor · hamstring
squats
Lowering exercises for legs
- lungesSudden forward movements
- leg pressLower-body resistance machine exercise
- leg extensionSeated thigh-strengthening exercise
step-ups · wall sit · front squat · pistol squat · box jumps · cycling · running · sprinting · jumping · kicking
contraction
Reduction in size
- fibersThreadlike structural strands
- hypertrophyTissue enlargement via cells
- atrophyWasting from disuse
innervation · activation · recruitment · fatigue · recovery · protein synthesis · neuromuscular · spindle · tension · eccentric
strain
Excessive stretching force
- tearTo pull apart
- tendinitisInflamed tissue joining muscle to bone
- patellar tendonKneecap-to-tibia ligament
rupture · rehabilitation · physical therapy · swelling · bruising · weakness · imbalance · overuse · compensation · recovery
powerlifting
Maximal barbell competition sport
resistance · load · intensity · capacity · force · explosiveness · maximal · progressive overload · muscle building · conditioning