Activation of the Gluteus Maximus during Performance of the Back Squat, Split Squat and Barbell Hip Thrust and the Relationship with Maximal Sprinting

Michael J. Williams, Neil V. Gibson, Graeme G. Sorbie, Ukadike C. Ugbolue, James Brouner, Chris Easton

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to compare muscle activation of the gluteus maximus and ground reaction force between the barbell hip thrust, back squat, and split squat and to determine the relationship between these outcomes and vertical and horizontal forces during maximal sprinting. Twelve, male, team sport athletes (age, 25.0 ± 4.0 years; stature, 184.1 ± 6.0 cm; body mass, 82.2 ± 7.9 kg) performed separate movements of the 3 strength exercises at a load equivalent to their individual 3 repetition maximum. The ground reaction force was measured using force plates and the electromyography (EMG) activity of the upper and lower gluteus maximus and was recorded in each leg and expressed as percentage of the maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC). Participants then completed a single sprint on a nonmotorized treadmill for the assessment of maximal velocity and horizontal and vertical forces. Although ground reaction force was lower, peak EMG activity in the gluteus maximus was higher in the hip thrust than in the back squat (p = 0.024; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 4–56% MVIC) and split squat (p = 0.016; 95% CI = 6–58% MVIC). Peak sprint velocity correlated with both anterior-posterior horizontal force (r = 0.72) and peak ground reaction force during the barbell hip thrust (r = 0.69) but no other variables. The increased activation of gluteus maximus during the barbell hip thrust and the relationship with maximal running speed suggests that this movement may be optimal for training this muscle group in comparison to the back squat and split squat.
LanguageEnglish
JournalJournal of Strength and Conditioning Research
Early online date24 May 2018
DOIs
StateE-pub ahead of print - 24 May 2018

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Isometric Contraction
Hip
Electromyography
Confidence Intervals
Muscles
Running
Athletes
Sports
Leg
Exercise
Research

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Williams, Michael J. ; Gibson, Neil V. ; Sorbie, Graeme G. ; Ugbolue, Ukadike C. ; Brouner, James ; Easton, Chris. / Activation of the Gluteus Maximus during Performance of the Back Squat, Split Squat and Barbell Hip Thrust and the Relationship with Maximal Sprinting. In: Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 2018
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abstract = "The purpose of this research was to compare muscle activation of the gluteus maximus and ground reaction force between the barbell hip thrust, back squat, and split squat and to determine the relationship between these outcomes and vertical and horizontal forces during maximal sprinting. Twelve, male, team sport athletes (age, 25.0 ± 4.0 years; stature, 184.1 ± 6.0 cm; body mass, 82.2 ± 7.9 kg) performed separate movements of the 3 strength exercises at a load equivalent to their individual 3 repetition maximum. The ground reaction force was measured using force plates and the electromyography (EMG) activity of the upper and lower gluteus maximus and was recorded in each leg and expressed as percentage of the maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC). Participants then completed a single sprint on a nonmotorized treadmill for the assessment of maximal velocity and horizontal and vertical forces. Although ground reaction force was lower, peak EMG activity in the gluteus maximus was higher in the hip thrust than in the back squat (p = 0.024; 95{\%} confidence interval [CI] = 4–56{\%} MVIC) and split squat (p = 0.016; 95{\%} CI = 6–58{\%} MVIC). Peak sprint velocity correlated with both anterior-posterior horizontal force (r = 0.72) and peak ground reaction force during the barbell hip thrust (r = 0.69) but no other variables. The increased activation of gluteus maximus during the barbell hip thrust and the relationship with maximal running speed suggests that this movement may be optimal for training this muscle group in comparison to the back squat and split squat.",
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Williams, MJ, Gibson, NV, Sorbie, GG, Ugbolue, UC, Brouner, J & Easton, C 2018, 'Activation of the Gluteus Maximus during Performance of the Back Squat, Split Squat and Barbell Hip Thrust and the Relationship with Maximal Sprinting' Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000002651

Activation of the Gluteus Maximus during Performance of the Back Squat, Split Squat and Barbell Hip Thrust and the Relationship with Maximal Sprinting. / Williams, Michael J.; Gibson, Neil V.; Sorbie, Graeme G.; Ugbolue, Ukadike C.; Brouner, James; Easton, Chris.

In: Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 24.05.2018.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

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AU - Williams,Michael J.

AU - Gibson,Neil V.

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AU - Ugbolue,Ukadike C.

AU - Brouner,James

AU - Easton,Chris

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N2 - The purpose of this research was to compare muscle activation of the gluteus maximus and ground reaction force between the barbell hip thrust, back squat, and split squat and to determine the relationship between these outcomes and vertical and horizontal forces during maximal sprinting. Twelve, male, team sport athletes (age, 25.0 ± 4.0 years; stature, 184.1 ± 6.0 cm; body mass, 82.2 ± 7.9 kg) performed separate movements of the 3 strength exercises at a load equivalent to their individual 3 repetition maximum. The ground reaction force was measured using force plates and the electromyography (EMG) activity of the upper and lower gluteus maximus and was recorded in each leg and expressed as percentage of the maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC). Participants then completed a single sprint on a nonmotorized treadmill for the assessment of maximal velocity and horizontal and vertical forces. Although ground reaction force was lower, peak EMG activity in the gluteus maximus was higher in the hip thrust than in the back squat (p = 0.024; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 4–56% MVIC) and split squat (p = 0.016; 95% CI = 6–58% MVIC). Peak sprint velocity correlated with both anterior-posterior horizontal force (r = 0.72) and peak ground reaction force during the barbell hip thrust (r = 0.69) but no other variables. The increased activation of gluteus maximus during the barbell hip thrust and the relationship with maximal running speed suggests that this movement may be optimal for training this muscle group in comparison to the back squat and split squat.

AB - The purpose of this research was to compare muscle activation of the gluteus maximus and ground reaction force between the barbell hip thrust, back squat, and split squat and to determine the relationship between these outcomes and vertical and horizontal forces during maximal sprinting. Twelve, male, team sport athletes (age, 25.0 ± 4.0 years; stature, 184.1 ± 6.0 cm; body mass, 82.2 ± 7.9 kg) performed separate movements of the 3 strength exercises at a load equivalent to their individual 3 repetition maximum. The ground reaction force was measured using force plates and the electromyography (EMG) activity of the upper and lower gluteus maximus and was recorded in each leg and expressed as percentage of the maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC). Participants then completed a single sprint on a nonmotorized treadmill for the assessment of maximal velocity and horizontal and vertical forces. Although ground reaction force was lower, peak EMG activity in the gluteus maximus was higher in the hip thrust than in the back squat (p = 0.024; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 4–56% MVIC) and split squat (p = 0.016; 95% CI = 6–58% MVIC). Peak sprint velocity correlated with both anterior-posterior horizontal force (r = 0.72) and peak ground reaction force during the barbell hip thrust (r = 0.69) but no other variables. The increased activation of gluteus maximus during the barbell hip thrust and the relationship with maximal running speed suggests that this movement may be optimal for training this muscle group in comparison to the back squat and split squat.

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JF - Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research

SN - 1064-8011

ER -

Williams MJ, Gibson NV, Sorbie GG, Ugbolue UC, Brouner J, Easton C. Activation of the Gluteus Maximus during Performance of the Back Squat, Split Squat and Barbell Hip Thrust and the Relationship with Maximal Sprinting. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 2018 May 24. Available from, DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000002651

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