For the Surfer stretch, which muscle is targeted?

For the Surfer stretch, which muscle is targeted?

• A. Side of the hip
• B. Latissimus Dorsi
• C. TFL
• D. Piriformis

Answer: (C)

The Surfer stretch targets the tensor fasciae latae (TFL), a muscle on the outside of the hip that helps with hip flexion and abduction and with stabilizing the IT band. In this stretch, the hip is opened in a way that lengthens the TFL along the lateral hip and thigh, making it the primary muscle being stretched. The latissimus dorsi is a back muscle and not involved in this hip-opening pose, and the piriformis sits deeper in the gluteal region and is usually targeted by different hip-rotation stretches rather than this lateral-hip opener. The general “side of the hip” option is too nonspecific; the specific muscle lengthened most in the surfer position is the TFL.

The Surfer stretch targets the tensor fasciae latae (TFL), a muscle on the outside of the hip that helps with hip flexion and abduction and with stabilizing the IT band. In this stretch, the hip is opened in a way that lengthens the TFL along the lateral hip and thigh, making it the primary muscle being stretched. The latissimus dorsi is a back muscle and not involved in this hip-opening pose, and the piriformis sits deeper in the gluteal region and is usually targeted by different hip-rotation stretches rather than this lateral-hip opener. The general “side of the hip” option is too nonspecific; the specific muscle lengthened most in the surfer position is the TFL.