How to Exercise the Femoral Biceps
The biceps femoris muscle is one of the three hamstring muscles and is composed of two heads. The long head originates from the pelvis and the short head originates from the back of the femur. This muscle flexes the knees and promotes internal and external rotation of the thigh.
The biceps femoris muscle is one of the three hamstring muscles and is composed of two heads. The long head originates from the pelvis and the short head originates from the back of the femur. This muscle flexes the knees and promotes internal and external rotation of the thigh. It also facilitates the lateral rotation and extension of the hip during knee flexion. Exercises that add stress to the hamstring muscles, such as a squat, leg lift or leg curl, should be perform to maintain strength in this muscle and prevent injury.
Bodyweight Squat
Step 1
Stand with your legs at shoulder-width distance apart and your toes pointing forward. Enter a squat by pushing your buttocks outward and slowly bending your knees while keeping your torso straight.
Step 2
Continue this flexion of the knees until they form a 90 degree angle. You should feel a stretch in the buttocks and hamstrings. Hold this position for three seconds and return to the starting position.
Step 3
Perform one set of 10 repetitions once daily to strengthen the hamstring muscles and prevent injury. To increase the intensity of the exercise hold a dumbbell in each hand.
Barbell Squat
Step 1
Rack your barbell, chest high. Duck your head underneath the bar, position the bar high on the back of your shoulders and grasp the bar wider than shoulder-width apart with an overhand grip.
Step 2
Stand and dismount bar from rack. Position your feet shoulder-width apart. While keeping your back straight, bend your hips and knees and lower your body into a squat until your thighs are parallel to the floor.
Step 3
Extend your hips and knees, push through your feet, return to the standing position and repeat. Perform one to two sets of 10 reps.
Standing Hamstring Curl
Step 1
Tie one end of a resistance band around a sturdy object such as the leg of a heavy desk. Tie the other end around your ankle and then face the desk or object.
Step 2
Stand tall with your feet hip-width apart. If necessary, hold onto a nearby object for support or simply hold your arms by your sides.
Step 3
Keep your thigh stationary and slowly lift the foot with the band around it by bending your knee and moving your foot backward. Stop when your shin is parallel to the floor. Slowly return your foot to the starting position and repeat. Perform 10 repetitions with each leg.
Sitting Hamstring Stretch
Step 1
Sit on a hard surface and extend both legs directly in front of you. Keeping your torso straight, extend your arms forward and lean forward.
Step 2
Continue this forward extension until you feel a stretch in your hamstring. Hold this position for five seconds and relax.
Step 3
Perform one set of 10 repetitions to stretch the bicep femoris muscles and maintain flexibility in your hamstring and flexion in the knees.
Standing Hamstring Stretch
Step 1
Enter the starting position by standing with your legs at shoulder-width distance apart. Bring one leg directly in front of the other and ensure that the leg remains straight.
Step 2
Bend the knee of the other leg and support your body weight by resting your hands on the bent knee.
Step 3
Tilt your hips forward and lean slightly forward. You should feel a stretch in your hamstring.
Step 4
Hold this position for five seconds and relax. Perform one set of 10 repetitions on both legs to stretch the muscles in hamstrings, promote flexibility and increase the range of motion in your knees.
Tip
While performing a squat, keep your torso straight and knees centered over your feet. Use your arms for balance and support when performing this exercise. Bend your knees to a 90-degree angle. However, if you cannot do that, simply go as low as possible.
warning
Do not overexert your muscles when performing these exercises. You feel extreme pain, discontinue with the exercise and give your muscles at least 24 hours to recover.