Muscle Activation during the Squat Performed in Different Ranges of Motion by Women
Lissiane Almeida Cabral,
Leonardo Coelho Rabello Lima,
Christian Emmanuel Torres Cabido,
Rogério César Fermino,
Saulo Fernandes Melo Oliveira,
Alexandre Igor Araripe Medeiros,
Luis Fabiano Barbosa,
Thiago Mattos Frota de Souza,
Túlio Banja,
Cláudio de Oliveira Assumpção
Affiliations
Lissiane Almeida Cabral
Post-Graduation Program in Physiotherapy and Functioning, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60430-235, CE, Brazil
Leonardo Coelho Rabello Lima
School of Physical Education and Sport of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-907, SP, Brazil
Christian Emmanuel Torres Cabido
Post-Graduation Program in Physical Education, Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA), São Luís 65080-805, MA, Brazil
Rogério César Fermino
Research Group in Environment, Physical Activity, and Health, Physical Education Graduate Program, Federal Technological University of Paraná, Curitiba 80230-901, PR, Brazil
Saulo Fernandes Melo Oliveira
Physical Education Graduate Program, Vitória Academic Center, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife 50800-220, PE, Brazil
Alexandre Igor Araripe Medeiros
Post-Graduation Program in Physiotherapy and Functioning, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60430-235, CE, Brazil
Luis Fabiano Barbosa
Independent Researcher, Passos 37900-577, MG, Brazil
Thiago Mattos Frota de Souza
Applied Kinesiology Laboratory–LCA, School of Physical Education, University of Campinas, Campinas 13083-959, SP, Brazil
Túlio Banja
Post-Graduation Program in Physiotherapy and Functioning, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60430-235, CE, Brazil
Cláudio de Oliveira Assumpção
Post-Graduation Program in Physiotherapy and Functioning, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60430-235, CE, Brazil
Purpose: To analyze the muscle activation of the rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (VL), gluteus maximus (GM), and biceps femoris (BF) in concentric and eccentric actions in the squat at 90° and 140° range of motion. Methods: Thirty-five women (32.9 ± 7.4 years; 64.5 ± 11.5 kg; 1.63 ± 0.1 m; BMI: 24.2 ± 2.9 kg/m2; %fat: 24.9 ± 6.5%) experienced exercise for at least eight weeks. Electrodes were positioned in standardized locations. The signals were acquired by an A/D SAS1000 V8 converter and the electromyographic activity normalized in the percentage of the highest produced value (%RMS). The data were analyzed using repeated measures two-way ANOVA, with effect size (η2) and differences calculated in percentage points (∆ p.p.). Results: The RF (p = 0.001; ∆ = 5.1 p.p.) and BF activation (p = 0.020; ∆ = 4.0 p.p.) was higher at 90° in the eccentric action. The RF showed an interaction between the range of motion and %RMS, with a large effect size (F = 37.9; p = 0.001; η2 = 0.485). The VL activation was higher at 140° (p = 0.005; ∆ = 3.9 p.p.) in the concentric action and higher at 90° (p = 0.006; ∆ = 3.7 p.p.) in the eccentric action, with a large effect size significant interaction (F = 21.3; p = 0.001; η2 = 0.485). The GM activation was higher at 90° in the concentric (p = 0.020; ∆ = 5.4 p.p.) and eccentric action (p = 0.022; ∆ = 41 p.p.). Conclusions: The biarticular muscles were influenced by the squat range only in the eccentric action of the movement, while the monoarticular muscles were influenced by the squat in both concentric and eccentric muscle action.
