The gluteus maximus contracts forcefully to extend the hips during foot strike in a sprint, during a
countermovement vertical jump, while freestyle swimming or hiking a mountain, and to buck an
opponent out of a full-mount position in mixed martial arts. The external rotational power of the
gluteus maximus produces the twisting torque at the hips required to forcefully swing a bat in
baseball or softball or racket in tennis, to throw a ball in American football or baseball, to heave a
shot put, discuss, or hammer in track and field, or to throw a hook, cross, or uppercut in boxing. The
abduction power of the gluteus maximus produces lateral stability during running to prevent hip sag
in addition to producing lateral power when cutting from side to side during agility and change-ofdirection maneuvers in sports such as American football, soccer, volleyball, basketball, hockey, and
tennis.