EMG Activity of Six Muscles and VMO:VL Ratio Determination during a Maximal Squat Exercise

Abstract

During knee rehabilitation, squats are a commonly used closed kinetic chain exercise. We have been unable to locate data reporting electromyographic (EMG) activity of lower extremity musculature during maximal effort squats and the contribution of gastrocnemius and gluteus maximus muscles. Therefore, the purposes of this study were (a) to quantify EMG activity of selected lower extremity muscles during a maximal isometric squat and during a maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC), and (b) to determine ratios between the vastus medialis oblique (VMO) and vastus lateralis (VL) during maximal isometric squat and MVIC testing. Twenty-three subjects participated in a single testing session. Results are as follows: intraclass correlations for MVIC testing and squat testing ranged from .60 to .80 and .70 to .90, respectively. Percentage MVIC during the squat was as follows: rectus femoris 40 ± 30%, VMO 90 ± 70%, VL 70 ±40%, hamstrings 10 ± 10%, gluteus maximus 20 ± 10%, and gastrocnemius 30 ± 20%. No statistical difference existed in VMO:VL ratios during MVIC or squat testing. We conclude that large variations in muscle recruitment patterns occur between individuals during isometric squats.