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The Activation of Gluteal, Thigh, and Lower Back Muscles in Different Squat Variations Performed by Competitive Bodybuilders: Implications for Resistance Training

Author

Listed:
  • Giuseppe Coratella

    (Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Giuseppe Colombo 71, 20133 Milano, Italy)

  • Gianpaolo Tornatore

    (Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Giuseppe Colombo 71, 20133 Milano, Italy)

  • Francesca Caccavale

    (Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Giuseppe Colombo 71, 20133 Milano, Italy)

  • Stefano Longo

    (Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Giuseppe Colombo 71, 20133 Milano, Italy)

  • Fabio Esposito

    (Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Giuseppe Colombo 71, 20133 Milano, Italy
    IRCCS Galeazzi Orthopaedic Institute, 20122 Milano, Italy)

  • Emiliano Cè

    (Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Giuseppe Colombo 71, 20133 Milano, Italy
    IRCCS Galeazzi Orthopaedic Institute, 20122 Milano, Italy)

Abstract

The present study investigated the activation of gluteal, thigh, and lower back muscles in different squat variations. Ten male competitive bodybuilders perform back-squat at full (full-BS) or parallel (parallel-BS) depth, using large feet-stance (sumo-BS), and enhancing the feet external rotation (external-rotated-sumo-BS) and front-squat (FS) at 80% 1-RM. The normalized surface electromyographic root-mean-square (sEMG RMS) amplitude of gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, adductor longus, longissimus, and iliocostalis was recorded during both the ascending and descending phase of each exercise. During the descending phase, greater sEMG RMS amplitude of gluteus maximus and gluteus medius was found in FS vs. all other exercises ( p < 0.05). Additionally, FS elicited iliocostalis more than all other exercises. During the ascending phase, both sumo-BS and external-rotated-sumo-BS showed greater vastus lateralis and adductor longus activation compared to all other exercises ( p < 0.05). Moreover, rectus femoris activation was greater in FS compared to full-BS ( p < 0.05). No between-exercise difference was found in vastus medialis and longissimus showed no between-exercise difference. FS needs more backward stabilization during the descending phase. Larger feet-stance increases thigh muscles activity, possibly because of their longer length. These findings show how bodybuilders uniquely recruit muscles when performing different squat variations.

Suggested Citation

  • Giuseppe Coratella & Gianpaolo Tornatore & Francesca Caccavale & Stefano Longo & Fabio Esposito & Emiliano Cè, 2021. "The Activation of Gluteal, Thigh, and Lower Back Muscles in Different Squat Variations Performed by Competitive Bodybuilders: Implications for Resistance Training," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-11, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:2:p:772-:d:482291
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Giuseppe Coratella & Gianpaolo Tornatore & Stefano Longo & Fabio Esposito & Emiliano Cè, 2020. "An Electromyographic Analysis of Lateral Raise Variations and Frontal Raise in Competitive Bodybuilders," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-12, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Berkant Erman & Mehmet Zeki Ozkol & Jelena Ivanović & Hakan Arslan & Marko Ćosić & Yasin Yuzbasioglu & Milivoj Dopsaj & Tolga Aksit, 2021. "Assessments of Ground Reaction Force and Range of Motion in Terms of Fatigue during the Body Weight Squat," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-12, April.
    2. Catarina N. Matias & Stefania Toselli & Cristina P. Monteiro & Francesco Campa, 2022. "Editorial: New Training Strategies and Evaluation Methods for Improving Health and Physical Performance," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-4, May.
    3. Giuseppe Coratella & Gianpaolo Tornatore & Stefano Longo & Fabio Esposito & Emiliano Cè, 2022. "An Electromyographic Analysis of Romanian, Step-Romanian, and Stiff-Leg Deadlift: Implication for Resistance Training," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-9, February.

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    1. Giuseppe Coratella & Gianpaolo Tornatore & Stefano Longo & Fabio Esposito & Emiliano Cè, 2022. "An Electromyographic Analysis of Romanian, Step-Romanian, and Stiff-Leg Deadlift: Implication for Resistance Training," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-9, February.

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