ASSESSMENT OF MUSCLE ACTIVATION RATIONS DURING LOWER EXTREMITY RESISTANCE EXERCISES

Authors

  • Eric Slattery
  • Jacob Hacker
  • Mark Walsh

Keywords:

anterior cruciate ligament, EMG, muscle activation

Abstract

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.

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Published

2014-10-01