Backwards Suitcase Carry - How to target the VMO, knee pain exercise
Exercise Overview
The backwards suitcase carry is a functional strengthening exercise that combines backward walking with an asymmetrical load to challenge knee control, especially the quadriceps and medial knee stabilizers. It is commonly used to improve terminal knee control, lower-limb alignment, and tolerance to walking in people with anterior knee pain.
Muscles Involved
Vastus medialis obliqueQuadricepsGluteus mediusGluteus maximusHamstringsGastrocnemiusSoleusTibialis anteriorObliques
Related Conditions
Patellofemoral pain syndromeAnterior knee painQuadriceps weaknessKnee valgus movement patternPost-operative knee rehabilitationReduced gait tolerance
