Analysis of Effective Cueing Method for Selective Activation of Gluteus Medius

Objective: This study aimed to investigate effective cueing methods for selective muscle activation of gluteus medius muscles. Design: Cross sectional study design. Methods: Using the inclusion criteria for this study, 20 healthy adults, both males and females were selected for the measurement of muscle activation of gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, and tensor fascia latae muscles while performing clamshell exercise, basic movements in leg raise in side-lying, and 3 different cueing methods. Electromyogram was used to measure muscle activation, and both muscle activation and muscle ratio were compared during the basic movements and different cueing methods. Results: Gluteus medius activation was highest using "try not to make your body rotate" (cueing method 2) in both clamshell exercise and leg raise side-lying (F=5.533, p<0.05, F=7.771, p<0.05), and muscle ratio was highest in clamshell exercise using cueing method 2 (p<0.05) and "don't move your tensor fascia late" (cueing method 1) in leg raise side-lying (p<0.05). This study showed that cueing method 1 in leg raise side-lying and cueing method 2 in clamshell exercise were the most effective cueing methods for selective muscle activation of gluteus medius muscle. Conclusions: The results of this study may be used as basic information for future studies on muscle activation and muscle ratio for different cueing methods and different muscles in various exercises.