Lombard's paradox

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Lombard's paradox describes a paradoxical muscular contraction in humans. When

rising to stand from a sitting or squatting position, both the hamstrings and quadriceps
contract at the same time, despite their being antagonists to each other.

The rectus femoris biarticular muscle acting over the hip has a smaller hip moment
arm than the hamstrings. However, the rectus femoris moment arm is greater over the
knee than the hamstring knee moment. This means that contraction from both rectus
femoris and hamstrings will result in hip and knee extension. Hip extension also adds
a passive stretch component to rectus femoris, which results in a knee extension force.
This paradox allows for efficient movement, especially during gait.

References
Lombard, W.P., & Abbott, F.M. (1907). The mechanical effects produced by
the contraction of individual muscles of the thigh of the frog. American
Journal of Physiology, 20, 1-60.
http://moon.ouhsc.edu/dthompso/namics/lombard.htm

External links
Andrews JG (1987). "The functional roles of the hamstrings and quadriceps
during cycling: Lombard's Paradox revisited". J Biomech 20 (6): 56575.
doi:10.1016/0021-9290(87)90278-8. PMID 3611133.
Gregor RJ, Cavanagh PR, LaFortune M (1985). "Knee flexor moments during
propulsion in cycling--a creative solution to Lombard's Paradox". J Biomech
18 (5): 30716. doi:10.1016/0021-9290(85)90286-6. PMID 4008501.

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Categories:
Muscular system
Physical paradoxes

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