EMG Activity of Gluteal, Abdominal, Back and Hamstring Muscles during Lunge in Three Direction and Wall Squat Position in Asymptomatic Individuals

Abstract

Objective: To compare muscle activity of gluteal, abdominal, back and hamstring muscles during forward lunge, transverse lunge, sideway lunge and wall squat positions in asymptomatic individuals. Material and Method: Eight asymptomatic participants (aged 20.75±1.03 years) were recruited. Surface electromyography (EMG) was used to measure muscle activity of gluteus maximus (GMax), gluteus medius (GMed), transversus abdominis/internal abdominal oblique (TrA/IO), lumbar erector spinae (LES), lumbar multifidus (LM), semitendinosus (ST) and biceps femoris (BF) muscles on dominant side during forward lunge, transverse lunge, sideway lunge and wall squat positions. Participants were asked to hold at end position for 5 seconds 3 repetitions. EMG data in the last 3 seconds were normalized using percentage of maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) averaged across 3 repetitions. Friedman’s analysis of variance was used to compare EMG amplitude among 7 muscles in 4 positions and Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to compare between positions. The p-value less than 0.05 was considered as statistical significance. Results: The highest muscle activation of GMax, GMed and hamstring muscles were found in sideway lunge position. However, sideway lunge position was not significantly different when compared with forward lunge and transverse lunge positions. The lowest muscle activation of LES muscle was found in forward lunge position. For LM muscle, wall squat was greater than forward lunge and transverse lunge, while sideway lunge was greater than transverse lunge. Conclusion: It was suggested that sideway lunge might be the most appropriate position for enhancing gluteal, hamstring and back muscles.