Which muscle extends the hip and externally rotates the thigh, and is engaged during lunges?

• A. Rectus Femoris
• B. Latissimus Dorsi
• C. Pectoralis Major
• D. Gluteus Maximus

Answer: (D)

The muscle responsible for extending the hip and externally rotating the thigh, and actively engaged when performing lunges, is the gluteus maximus. It powers the hip’s extension as you rise from the lunge and helps rotate the thigh outward to keep the knee aligned with the foot during the movement. The rectus femoris mainly flexes the hip and extends the knee, so it isn’t performing the primary hip extension in this exercise. The latissimus dorsi and pectoralis major are upper-body muscles with no direct role in hip extension or external rotation, so they aren’t involved in this hip action during lunges.