Surface electromyography during different types of squats. A narrative review

Authors

  • Alejandro Arango Sarmiento Estudiante
  • Diego Alejandro Calderón López https://orcid.org/0009-0007-0617-6655
  • María Isabel Torres Cadavid
  • Juan Camilo Martínez Montoya
  • Andrés Ocampo García

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v57.102670

Keywords:

Electromiografía de superficie, EMGs, Electromiografía, Ejercicio, Sentadilla.

Abstract

The aim of this narrative review is to synthesize the information collected in the last 10 years on surface electromyography during the performance of traditional, Bulgarian, and unilateral squats, as well as strategies that generate greater activation in rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, gluteus maximus, and biceps femoris. Methods: In this study, articles published between 2013 and 2023 in English and Spanish were collected from databases such as Pubmed, SportDiscus, Google Scholar, and Scielo. These articles focused on analyzing squat execution and its variations using electromyography. Initially, a total of 340 articles related to the topic were found. After the selection process, involving inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 36 articles were included. Results: Only five studies were related with the unilateral squat and only one article with the Bulgarian squat. Among the strategies highlighted to evaluate muscle activation, the modification of the load, type of resistance, depth, number of repetitions and fatigue, among others, stand out. All these strategies were applied on the rectus femoris, vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, biceps femoris and gluteus maximus muscles. Conclusions: Performing a greater number of repetitions and increasing the load lifted were the main strategies that generated greater muscle activation. Concentric phase and sticking point were also the phases of greater activation. Studies investigating different types of squat variations are needed. 

Keywords: Surface electromyography, EMGs, Electromyography, Exercise, Squat.

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Published

2024-08-03

How to Cite

Arango Sarmiento, A., Calderón López, D. A., Torres Cadavid, M. I. ., Martínez Montoya, J. C., & Ocampo García, A. . (2024). Surface electromyography during different types of squats. A narrative review. Retos, 57, 768–779. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v57.102670

Issue

Vol. 57 (2024)

Section

Theoretical systematic reviews and/or meta-analysis

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