Muscle Activations During Bulgarian Split Squat Exercise Variations

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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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.

Detailed Description
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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.

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

Conditions
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Sports Physical Therapy

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Bulgarian split squat exercise variations


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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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

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 25 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Diagnostic
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: female athletes<br>21 female athletes from different branches performed 4 different sessions of Bulgarian split squat exercises. | Other: Bulgarian split squat exercise variations<br>* 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.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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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 | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Electromyography, Exercise Theraphy