Evaluating gluteus maximus maximal voluntary isometric contractions for EMG normalization in male rugby players.
Darryl J Cochrane, Etienne Gabriel, Michael C Harnett
PMID 31037012WHAT IT FOUND
For rugby players, prone hip extension and single leg squat produced similar gluteus maximus muscle activity, while standing gluteal squeeze produced significantly less.
Use prone or squat positions for testing, not squeezing while standing.
Key findings
01Standing gluteal squeeze produced significantly lower gluteus maximus activity compared to prone hip extension and single leg squat.
02There was no significant difference in gluteus maximus activity between prone hip extension and single leg squat.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
Very small sample size of ten participants limits generalizability. The study only included male rugby players, so results may not apply to other populations. EMG cross-talk or adipose tissue thickness may have affected signal accuracy. The modified standing gluteal squeeze at 60 degrees flexion differs from standard protocols, which may explain the low activation.
Declared interests
None declared.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume these findings apply to non-athletes or other populations. The study only tested ten male rugby players, and the specific joint angles used may not reflect standard clinical testing positions for other groups.