Comparison of Core Muscle Activity Between Back Squat and Push Press

Abstract

Previous research has been done exhibiting the fact that core strengthening leads to performance enhancement, postural improvement, and decreased risk of low back pain. There are a wide variety of exercises that aim to provide such training benefits. Previous studies have looked at the activation of core trunk muscles while performing sit-ups using different abdominal devices. To date, no known studies have looked at the activation of core trunk muscles compared between the back squat (SQ) and push press (PP), two traditional weightlifting movements. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a difference in muscle activation when performing a PP versus a SQ. METHODS: Male varsity athletes (n=10) who regularly trained with Olympic barbell (OB) performed seven to ten repetitions of a PP and a SQ set to a metronome at 50 cycles per minute for each repetition. Electrodes were placed on the Rectus Abdominis (RA), Erector Spinae (ES), and External Obliques (EO) muscles in order to monitor muscle activity through electromyography (EMG) with wireless transmitters. Subjects performed seven to ten repetitions of PP and SQ with the OB, in a randomize order at 30% of their 1RM. After finishing, subjects performed a maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) of a SQ. The SQ and PP lifts were normalized to the MVC voltage. Data was analyzed using paired T-tests. RESULTS: The results presented in the following table are expressed means +/- standard deviations as a percent of MVC.Table: No title available.Significant differences were observed for RA tested relative to %MVC when comparing the SQ to PP (p<.014). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that muscle activity in the muscle group RA may be greater when performing a SQ versus PP.