Lunges activate the gluteus maximus muscles more than back squats when both exercises are standardized

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Aniceto, Rodrigo Ramalho^{a; d; *} | Pirauá, André Luiz Torres^{a; b} | da Silva Leandro, Leonardo^{a; c; d} | da Silva, Hélen Cristina Ferreira^d | Silva, Diego Mesquita^{a; d} | de Araújo, Leandro Cândido^{a; d} | Costa, Pablo Brando^e | dos Santos, Heleodório Honorato^{a; c; f}

Affiliations: [a] Study and Research Group in Biomechanics and Psychophysiology of Exercise, Department of Physical Education and Sport, Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Rio Grande do Norte, Currais Novos, RN, Brazil | [b] Department of Physical Education, Rural Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil | [c] Associate Graduate Program in Physical Education UPE/UFPB, Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Paraiba, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil | [d] Laboratory of Kinesiology and Biomechanics, Department of Physical Education, Integrated Colleges of Patos, Patos, PB, Brazil | [e] Exercise Physiology Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, California State University, Fullerton, USA | [f] Physiotherapy Department, Federal University of Paraiba, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Rodrigo Ramalho Aniceto, Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Rio Grande do Norte, Rua Manoel Lopes Filho, n ∘ 773, Valfredo Galvão, Currais Novos, Rio Grande do Norte, 59380-000, Brazil. Tel.: +55 83 986555064; E-mail: rodrigo-afa@hotmail.com.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Squats are considered one of the main exercises for the lower limbs and are used in resistance training under different contexts, including rehabilitation and sports performance. OBJECTIVE: To compare the EMG activity of different muscles in back squat and lunge exercises in trained women. METHODS: Ten healthy women experienced in resistance training performed back squat and lunge exercises on a Smith machine (total work: 70% of 1RM, 1 set, 10 repetitions and 2-s/2-s of execution speed) with an interval of 20-min between exercises. Both exercises were standardized in relation to the trunk inclination and were performed with an erect trunk parallel to the cursor of the guided bar. RESULTS: The EMG activity of the vastus medialis (VM), vastus lateralis (VL), biceps femoris (BF), and gluteus maximus (GM) were analyzed. There were no significant differences in the EMG activity of the VM, VL, and BF muscles between the back squat and lunge exercises (P> 0.05); however, GM activation was greater during the lunge exercise (effect size = 1.15; P= 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Lunges were more effective in recruiting the GM when compared to back squats. However, both exercises can be recommended when the goal is knee extensor and flexor muscle activity.

Keywords: Electromyography, strength training, skeletal muscle, knee joint

DOI: 10.3233/IES-210125

Journal: Isokinetics and Exercise Science, vol. 29, no. 4, pp. 353-359, 2021