Electromyographic Analysis of Gluteus Maximus and Medius during Therapeutic Exercises in Healthy Adult Men

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare to exercises from several other commonly performed clinical exercise to determine which exercises recruit the gluteus maximus and medius, most effectively. 20 years healthy subjects (n=13) participated in this study. Body composition and MVIC (Maximum Voluntary Isometric Contraction) of the gluteus maximus and medius were measured. Then the electromyography of the 20 kinds of exercise were measured and then %MVIC was calculated. The results were calculated by using the SPSS 18.0 statistical program and the ranking was determined according to the value of the muscle activation. Analysis of the ranking was as follows. First, Three of the exercises produced greater than 70%MVIC of the gluteus maximus muscle. In rank order from highest electromyograph (EMG) value to lowest, these exercises were: front plank with hip extension (82.87%MVIC), side plank with abduction dominant leg down (78.35%MVIC), and dynamic leg swing (76.57%MVIC). Second, Three of the exercises recruited gluteus medius with values greater than 70%MVIC. In rank order from highest EMG value to lowest, these exercises were: clamshell4 (81.85%MVIC), clamshell3 (81.64%MVIC), and side plank with abduction dominant leg up (79.44%MVIC). In conclusion, Higher %MVIC values in gluteus maximus during mat CKC (Closed Kinetic Chain Exercise) and in gluteus medius during clamshell exercise. However, higher %MVIC values in gluteus maximus and medius generally showed during mat CKC exercise. Therefore, we suggested that mat CKC exercise may be effective for the strengthening of the gluteus maximus and medius.