Comparative Effects of 4 Single-Leg Squat Exercises in Subjects With Gluteus Medius Weakness

• Published in: Journal of sport rehabilitation Vol. 27; no. 6; p. 513
• Main Authors: Han, Hae-Rim, Yi, Chung-Hwi, You, Sung-Hyun, Cynn, Heon-Seock, Lim, One-Bin, Son, Jae-Ik
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.11.2018
• Subjects: adductor longus; tensor fasciae latae; muscle imbalance; onset time
• ISSN: 1543-3072
• DOI: 10.1123/jsr.2016-0193

Of the weight-bearing exercises, single-leg squats (SLSs) represent one of the most commonly used hip-strengthening exercises that require more gluteus medius (GMED) activity. To date, no studies have investigated how the 4 SLS exercises affect muscle imbalance of GMED, tensor fasciae latae (TFL), and adductor longus (AL), and kinematics of hip. To investigate the hip muscle activities, onset time, and kinematics during 4 different SLS exercises (unilateral squat, unilateral wall-squat [UWS], lateral step-down, and front step-down) in subjects with GMED weakness. Repeated-measures experimental design. Research laboratory. Twenty-two subjects (11 males and 11 females) participated in this study and were compared using 1-way repeated-measures analysis of variance. Surface electromyography was used to measure the muscle activities and onset time of the GMED, TFL, and AL, and 3-dimensional motion tracking system was used to measure the hip adduction and internal/external rotation angles during SLS exercises. One-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was used at a significance level of P < .05. The UWS produced higher GMED/TFL activity ratio and lower GMED/TFL onset time ratio than in the other 3 exercises (P < .05). No difference in GMED/AL activity ratio and GMED/AL onset time ratio was observed. The hip adduction angle was greater in UWS than in the other 3 exercises (P < .05). As for the hip internal/external rotation, lateral step-down exhibited higher hip internal rotation angle than front step-down (P < .05). The UWS may be recommended as an effective exercise for the subjects with GMED weakness, but they should take care to avoid excessive hip adduction during the exercise.