ASSESSMENT OF MUSCLE ACTIVATION RATIONS DURING LOWER EXTREMITY RESISTANCE EXERCISES

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The purpose of this study was to examine muscular activation ratios during lower extremity resistance training exercises. The literature implicates muscular activation ratios, such as quadricep-hamstring and insufficient semitendonosis activation as possible factors regarding ACL injuries. Twenty one subjects performed a series of 6 exercises. EMG activity was measured in the following muscles: Rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, biceps femoris and semitendinosis. Data indicate that most of those exercises show favorable quadricep-hamsrting ratios and most of them also showed favorable medial-lateral hamstring ratios.It is possible that performing exercises that target the muscles that help against injury or produce favorable activation ratios could also help us avoid injuries in sports situations.