The Comparison of Electromyographic Activity of Selected Knee and Pelvic Muscles during Pair/Single-Leg Lunge and Squat Movements in Individuals with and without Genu Varum: Quasi-Experimental Study

Abstract

Introduction: The lower limbs are a chain of columns and joints that tolerate the weight of the body. The aim of this study was to compare the electromyographic (EMG) activity of selected knee and pelvic muscles during pair/single-leg lunge and squat movements in individuals with and without genu varum.Materials and Methods: 36 male students without regular exercise (19-25 years) were divided into two groups: healthy (n = 18) and genu varum (n = 18). EMG device was used to measure the electrical activity of muscles. Statistical analyzes were performed at a significance level of 0.05.Results: There was a significant difference between two groups in EMG activity value of the gluteus medius (GM) in three movements (pair-leg squat, lunge, and single-leg squat) and in the tensor fasciae latae (TFL) in single-leg squat movement, but between EMG activity in three movements in vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, and crural biceps, no significant difference was observed between the two groups.Conclusion: There is a significant difference between the EMG activity of GM in three movements (pair-leg squat, lunge, and single-leg squat) and in the TFL in one movement (single-leg squat) in the two groups, which shows the importance of mentioned muscles in the studied movements.

Keywords

• muscle electromyography
• lunge
• squat
• genu varum