Mr. Jones has been wheelchair bound for 2 years now and is seeing you for hip pain. What are the main muscle group(s) that would most likely become hypomobile or even contracted due to his prolonged sitting?

• A. Hip Extensors
• B. Hip Flexors
• C. Abductors
• D. Adductors

Answer: (B)

Prolonged sitting keeps the hip in a flexed position most of the time, so the muscles that actively shorten in that posture—the hip flexors (iliopsoas, rectus femoris, Sartorius, and related muscles)—tend to adapt by shortening and becoming less mobile. Over time this adaptive shortening leads to contracture and a reduced ability to extend the hip, which can contribute to pain and altered pelvic and lower-back mechanics. The hip extensors, being held in a lengthened position while seated, are more likely to weaken rather than contract, so they’re not the primary group that becomes hypomobile. Abductors and adductors aren’t as directly affected by the seated posture in terms of shortening, making hip flexors the best answer.