Analysis of Muscle Strength and Electromyographic Activity during Different Deadlift Positions
Vinícius Marques Moreira,
Leonardo Coelho Rabello de Lima,
Arnaldo Luis Mortatti,
Thiago Mattos Frota de Souza,
Fernando Vitor Lima,
Saulo Fernandes Melo Oliveira,
Christian Emmanuel Torres Cabido,
Felipe J. Aidar,
Manoel da Cunha Costa,
Thiago Pires,
Tatiana Acioli,
Rogério César Fermino,
Cláudio Oliveira Assumpção,
Túlio Banja
Affiliations
Vinícius Marques Moreira
Institute of Physical Education and Sports, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60020-181, Brazil
Leonardo Coelho Rabello de Lima
School of Physical Education and Sport of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-900, Brazil
Arnaldo Luis Mortatti
Graduate Program in Physical Education, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59078-970, Brazil
Thiago Mattos Frota de Souza
Applied Kinesiology Laboratory—LCA, School of Physical Education, University of Campinas, Campinas 13083-959, Brazil
Fernando Vitor Lima
Weight Training Laboratory, School of Physical Education, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil
Saulo Fernandes Melo Oliveira
Physical Education Graduate Program, Vitória Academic Center, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife 50800-220, Brazil
Christian Emmanuel Torres Cabido
Postgraduate Program in Physical Education Program in Physical Education, Department of Physical Education, Laboratory of the Physical Exercise Research Group: Health and Human Performance, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís 65080-805, Brazil
Felipe J. Aidar
Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão 49100-000, Brazil
Manoel da Cunha Costa
Human Performance Laboratory, State University of Pernambuco, Recife 50100-010, Brazil
Thiago Pires
Institute of Physical Education and Sports, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60020-181, Brazil
Tatiana Acioli
UNIFBV—University Center, Recife 51200-060, Brazil
Rogério César Fermino
Research Group in Environment, Physical Activity, and Health, Postgraduate Program in Physical Education, Federal University of Technology—Paraná, Curitiba 80230-901, Brazil
Cláudio Oliveira Assumpção
Exercise Science, Health and Human Performance Research Group, Department of Sport Sciences, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba 38025-350, Brazil
Túlio Banja
Institute of Physical Education and Sports, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60020-181, Brazil
The aim of the study was to analyze muscle activation in the three positions of the deadlift (DL). Twenty male participants (33.4 ± 3.9 years; 42.2 ± 9.1 months of experience with DL; 91.0 ± 14.8 kg; and 1.78 ± 0.06 m) pulled a bar through isometric actions in three DL positions: lift-off, mid-pull, and lockout. Isometric strength, knee angle, and activation of the rectus femoris (RF), biceps femoris (BF), lateral gastrocnemius (GAL), and erector spinae (ERE) muscles were collected. The analysis of variance showed that the maximum isometric force presented differences between the positions (p = 0.001; η2 = 0.973) considered large with higher values at the mid-pull position. Interactions were found between muscles and position (p = 0.001; η2 = 0.527) considered large. The RF and ERE showed greater activation in the lift-off position, while in the mid-pull position, there was greater activation of the BF and GAL muscles. The DL positions produce different activations in the bi-articular and uni-articular muscles. The lift-off requires more activation from the RF and ERE positions. The mid-pull position, despite generating greater force, presented greater activations in the BF and GAL. The ERE showed higher activations as the external torque was greater.
