Final answer:
The anterior thigh muscles perform extension, not flexion, to generate more power in leg movements, stabilize the hip joint, and prevent hyperextension of the knee.
Step-by-step explanation:
The anterior thigh muscles perform extension, not flexion, for several reasons: to generate more power in leg movements, to stabilize the hip joint, and to prevent hyperextension of the knee. The quadriceps femoris, a group of four muscles in the anterior compartment of the thigh, is responsible for extending the lower leg. While the hamstrings, located in the posterior compartment of the thigh, flex the lower leg.