Overactive hip flexors may lead to which of the following postural compensations?

Overactive hip flexors are muscles that can become tight and overactive due to prolonged sitting or lack of stretching. When hip flexors are overactive, they can pull the pelvis into an anterior tilt position. This positioning causes the pelvis to tilt forward, which can result in an increased arch in the lower back, known as lordosis. This effect is due to the interplay of muscular imbalances where the tight hip flexors pull the pelvis forward, leading to a pronounced curvature in the lumbar spine.

This compensatory pattern affects overall posture and can contribute to discomfort or pain in the lower back region. An optimal posture would allow for neutral pelvic alignment and proper spinal curvature, which is not achieved when the hip flexors are overactive. Therefore, the relationship between the overactive hip flexors and the resulting anterior pelvic tilt with an increased low-back arch is crucial for understanding postural compensations in fitness and rehabilitation contexts.