Muscle Activations During Bulgarian Split Squat Exercise Variations

Effect of Trunk Position on Muscle Activations During Traditional and Suspension Based Bulgarian Split Squat

It is essential to practice and train appropriate activation techniques to ensure optimum strength development. Knowing the effects of exercise variations that will minimize the tension forces acting on the knee by increasing the activation of the lumbo-pelvic-hip complex muscles, which are critical during sports activities, is extremely important in terms of preventing injuries. The aim of this study is to compare muscular activations during traditional and suspension-based Bulgarian split squat exercises and to examine the effect of trunk position on muscular activations.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Sports Physical Therapy
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Bulgarian split squat exercise variations

Detailed Description

This study utilized a single-group repeated-measures design, where 4 conditions-Bugarian split squat with trunk flexion (BSS flexion), Bulgarian Split squat with trunk neutral (BSS neutral), suspension based Bulgarian split squat with trunk flexion (SBSS flexion), suspension based Bulgarian split squat with trunk neutral (SBSS neutral)-were examined.Participants had to make two separate trips to the lab in order to be accepted into the study. All exercises were introduced to participants at the initial visit. Prior to beginning the exercises on the second visit, the participants' maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) values were calculated. The muscle activity of the gluteus medius (GMed), gluteus maximus (GMax), vastus lateralis (VL), rectus femoris (RF), vastus medialis (VM), semitendinosus (ST), biceps femoris (BF),and erector spina (ES) was monitored through the root mean square surface EMG signal amplitude. The order of the tasks was chosen for each person by straightforward randomization (by selecting from a deck of shuffled cards) so order to reduce the impact of the sequence of the exercises.The modified Borg scale was used to ensure that fatigue did not occur before each exercise since it was believed that fatigue could affect exercise performance.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 21
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey
  • Ordu, Turkey, 52200
    • Ordu University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Being a licensed athlete in one's own field,
• Having been engaged in sports for at least 2 years

Exclusion Criteria:

• Individuals with any musculoskeletal injury history in the lower extremities and trunk that could impede exercise within the last year,
• Individuals with systemic, neurological, and/or cognitive issues,
• Individuals experiencing pain in the lower extremities and trunk during exercises

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Diagnostic
• Allocation: N/A
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

1

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Intervention / Treatment

Experimental: female athletes; 21 female athletes from different branches performed 4 different sessions of Bulgarian split squat exercises.

Other: Bulgarian split squat exercise variations; The participants performed 4 different sessions of Bulgarian split squat exercises-Bulgarian split squat with trunk flexion (BSS flexion), Bulgarian Split squat with trunk neutral (BSS neutral), suspension based Bulgarian split squat with trunk flexion (SBSS flexion), suspension based Bulgarian split squat with trunk neutral (SBSS neutral)-with EMG recordings being taken from the dominant extremity throughout each session. For each exercise, participants were instructed to perform three successful repetitions. Between each repetition, there was a 30-second break, and there was at least 10 minutes in between each of the 4 exercises. The movement was standardized by a metronome. The modified Borg scale was used to ensure that fatigue did not occur before each exercise since it was believed that fatigue could affect exercise performance. When scores reported using the modified Borg scale were 1 or lower, exercise recording was started.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Surface EMG Measurement	During data collection, the EMG Noraxon MiniDTS system (Noraxon Inc.) was used to measure the signals from the muscle. Additionally, the participants were video-recorded to prevent any potential mistakes that might have gone unnoticed during the activities.	in an average of one hour
Normalization of Surface EMG	To normalize the EMG data obtained during the exercises, MVIC was performed for each muscle. Participants were asked to warm up on a treadmill at submaximal speed for 8 minutes before starting the measurements. Measurements were performed with 3 repetitions, each lasting 5 seconds, and a 1-minute rest period between repetitions. During the measurements, participants were verbally encouraged to give their maximum effort. After the MVIC measurements, participants were given a 5-minute rest period.	in an average of one hour

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Elif AYGUN POLAT
• Collaborators: Gazi University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Elif AYGUN POLAT, T.C. ORDU ÜNİVERSİTESİ; Study Director: Nevin A. GUZEL, Gazi University; Principal Investigator: Sonay GURUHAN, Gazi University; Principal Investigator: Nihan KAFA, Gazi University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): July 1, 2022
• Primary Completion (Actual): September 1, 2022
• Study Completion (Actual): May 30, 2023

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: October 19, 2023
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 26, 2023
• First Posted (Actual): November 1, 2023

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimated): December 8, 2023
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 1, 2023
• Last Verified: December 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Electromyography; Exercise Theraphy
• Other Study ID Numbers: ODU-SBFTR-AYGUNPOLAT

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No