Which exercise involves lifting a straight leg while the knee stays extended?

Which exercise involves lifting a straight leg while the knee stays extended?

• A. Extension
• B. Straight Leg Raise
• C. Flexion
• D. Windshield wipers

Answer: (B)

Lifting a leg with the knee kept straight focuses on moving the leg from the hip while the knee remains extended, which is the hallmark of a Straight Leg Raise. This movement isolates the hip flexors and challenges control of the pelvis and lumbar spine, since you’re lifting the leg without bending the knee. In practice, you lie on your back, keep the leg straight, and lift from the hip while maintaining a neutral spine and avoiding any knee bend. The key cue is to prevent knee flexion—if the knee bends, the motion changes to a different pattern and the exercise isn’t a straight leg raise anymore. This differs from actions that involve bending the knee (flexion) or moving the hip while the knee is fixed in a way that isn’t just a straight-leg lift.

Lifting a leg with the knee kept straight focuses on moving the leg from the hip while the knee remains extended, which is the hallmark of a Straight Leg Raise. This movement isolates the hip flexors and challenges control of the pelvis and lumbar spine, since you’re lifting the leg without bending the knee. In practice, you lie on your back, keep the leg straight, and lift from the hip while maintaining a neutral spine and avoiding any knee bend. The key cue is to prevent knee flexion—if the knee bends, the motion changes to a different pattern and the exercise isn’t a straight leg raise anymore. This differs from actions that involve bending the knee (flexion) or moving the hip while the knee is fixed in a way that isn’t just a straight-leg lift.