Exercises / Thigh & knee

Straight leg raise

Strength
Thigh & knee
Ankle weight (optional)

Lifting the straight leg with the knee locked; loads the hip flexors and quadriceps without knee motion.

Also called SLR, supine straight leg raise.

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Where you stand

No published distribution for this exercise yet. We add one only from a peer-reviewed study.

Muscles worked

Filled: primary. Outlined: secondary.

How much

Typical strength dose: 2-3 sets of 8-12 repetitions at a load that is hard by the last repetition, 2-3 days per week (ACSM novice guideline). Adjust to symptoms.

Start: Supine, other knee bent

Steps

Lie on the back with the other knee bent.
Tighten the thigh to lock the knee straight (quad set).
Lift the leg to the height of the other knee, then lower slowly.

Cues

Knee stays fully straight
Low back stays flat

Common mistakes

Knee bending (extension lag)
Arching the back

Used for

Early knee rehabilitation
Checking for quadriceps lag

Evidence (2)

Rectus femoris crosses both hip and knee; the vasti hold the knee extended while the hip flexors lift the limb.1
Early quadriceps strengthening is a core part of ACL rehabilitation.2

Harder

Seated knee extension (open chain)

References (2)

Neumann DA. Elsevier. Kinesiology of the Musculoskeletal System: Foundations for Rehabilitation. 3rd ed.
van Melick N, van Cingel REH, Brooijmans F, et al. Br J Sports Med. 2016;50(24):1506-1515. Evidence-based clinical practice update: practice guidelines for anterior cruciate ligament rehabilitation based on a systematic review and multidisciplinary consensus