The iliopsoas contributes heavily to Olympic lifts and every day activities like walking and running.

It also
influences our form in many other types of movement, depending on how weak or how tight this group
of muscles may be.

The Muscles That Make Up the Iliopsoas

The two muscles that make up the iliopsoas group are the psoas major and iliacus. These two muscles
are important in the hip flexor group and as low back stabilizers. In fact, the iliopsoas is one of the most
powerful of the hip flexor group. There is a possible third muscle, which some of us have and some of us
don’t, that I will address, as well.

Muscular Anatomy of the Iliopsoas

Psoas Major: This muscle is deep to the abdominal contents

•Action: At the coxal joint, it flexes, laterally rotates, and adducts the hip

•Origin Site: Bodies and transverse processes of the lumbar vertebrae

•Insertion Site: Lesser trochanter

•Nerve Innervation: Lumbar plexus

Iliacus: Deep to the abdomen in the iliac fossa

•Action: Same as the psoas major

•Origin Site: Iliac fossa

•Insertion Site: Lesser trochanter

•Nerve Innervation: Femoral

Psoas Minor: Roughly 40% of the population has a psoas minor. Interestingly, the psoas minor is an
important muscle of the locomotion in a dog or a cat, but in a human biped it is a relatively insignificant
muscle.

•Action: Assist to create lordotic curve in the lumbar spine and tilt the pelvis posteriorly

•Origin Site: Body and transverse processes of the first lumbar vertebrae

•Insertion Site: Superior ramus of the pubis

•Nerve Innervation: Ventral rami of the lumbar