When the hamstrings are stiff/short, what compensation occurs at the pelvis?

When the hamstrings are stiff or short, it can lead to a posterior pelvic tilt. This occurs because the hamstrings attach to the ischial tuberosities at the pelvis. When they are shortened, they can exert a pull on the pelvis that causes it to rotate backward.

In a posterior pelvic tilt, the pelvis tilts backward, which can flatten the lumbar spine and alter the overall alignment of the pelvis and spine. This compensatory movement aims to mitigate the stiffness or tightness of the hamstrings and can affect how other muscles in the kinetic chain function as they adjust to this altered position.

Understanding this relationship is crucial for developing corrective exercise strategies, as addressing hamstring tightness can subsequently restore a more neutral pelvic position and improve overall movement patterns.