COMPARISON OF MUSCLE ACTIVITY DURING STEP UPS AND SINGLE LEG SQUATS

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate muscle activity of the vastus lateralis (VL), rectus femoris (RF), vastus medialis (VM), biceps femoris (BF), gluteus maximus (GM), gluteus medius (GME), adductors (A), and gastrocnemius (G) during step ups (SU) and single leg squats (SLS). Subjects were 12 weight trained adults. Muscle activity was averaged by root mean square and normalized to maximum isometric contractions. Repeated measures ANOVA results revealed interaction effects (p<0.05) of lift and phase (eccentric/concentric) for VL-, RF-, VM-, GME-, and A-activity. Significant main effects (p<0.05) between lifts were observed for BF-, GM-, and G-activity while all but RF-activity had a main effect (p<0.05) for phase. The SU appears to be more ideal for activating the quadriceps while the SLS is more appropriate to activate the hamstrings and gluteals.