Comparison of Low Limb Muscle Activity during Squat Exercise according to Hip Joint Flexion Angle

엉덩관절 굽힘 각도에 따른 쪼그려 앉기 운동 시 하지의 근활성도 비교

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a difference in activation of the rectus femoris, vastus medialis oblique, vastus lateralis, semitendinosus, and biceps femoris when performing normal free squat with standinding position and free squat with $30^{\circ}$ flexed hip joint. Methods: Electromyograph surface electrodes were placed on the rectus femoris, vastus medialis oblique, vastus lateralis, semitendinosus, and biceps femoris of 19 healthy college students. The participants performed standing bilateral squats and standing bilateral squats with $30^{\circ}$ flexed hip joint with EMG measures taken upon initiation of muscle activity as confirmed by an electronic goniometer. Participants completed one trial with the EMG time measurements on each type. Results: There was a significant difference between normal squats(standing squats) and normal squats with $30^{\circ}$ flexed hip joint. The normal squat exercise was statistically higer than normal squat exercise with $30^{\circ}$ flexed trunk except for semitendinosus and biceps femoris that shown slightly high. Conclusions: As a result of this study, there were increases of muscle activity in both ways. In particular, it may be more beneficial for knee joint stabilization to perform normal squat exercise with standing position relatively.