ELECTROMYOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF GLUTEUS MEDIUS AND GLUTEUS MAXIMUS DURING REHABILITATION EXERCISES (2024)

Abstract

Keywords: gluteus medius, gluteus maximus, muscle recruitment, rehabilitation exercise

INTRODUCTION

The lower extremity functions in a kinematic chain, leading many researchers in recent years to examine the mechanical effect of weak proximal musculature on more distal segments.^1,2 Previous research by Distefano,³ Bolgla,⁴ and Ayotte⁵ has sought to determine the most appropriate exercises to strengthen the gluteal muscles due to their role in maintaining a level pelvis and preventing hip adduction and internal rotation during single limb support.^1,6 Measurement of such femoral torsion and pelvic rotation in the transverse plane, along with measurement of pelvic tilt in the sagittal plane can indicate abnormal alignment of the hip joint.⁷ Numerous pathologies have been described which are related to the inability to maintain proper alignment of the pelvis and the femur, including: tibial stress fracture,⁸ low back pain,^9,10 iliotibial band friction syndrome,^1,11 anterior cruciate ligament injury,^1,12 and patellofemoral pathology.^2,13–17 While Distefano,³ Bolgla,⁴ and Ayotte⁵ have examined a wide range of exercises used to strengthen the hip musculature, to the knowledge of the authors, no cross comparison amongst the top exercises from each study has been performed.

Similar to Distefano,³ Ayotte,⁴ and Bolgla,⁵ exercises examined in the current study were rank ordered according to their recruitment of specific gluteal musculature and expressed as a percent of the subject's maximum volitional isometric contraction (MVIC). By knowing the approximate percentage of MVIC (%MVIC) recruitment of each of the gluteal muscles in a wide variety of exercises, the exercises may be ranked to appropriately challenge the gluteal musculature. MVIC was established in the standard manual muscle testing positions for gluteus medius and maximus, as described by Daniels and Worthingham.¹⁸ The use of the sidelying abduction position is supported by the results of Widler,¹⁹ where similarity in EMG activity for weight bearing and sidelying abduction (ICC's 0.880 and 0.902 for the respective positions) demonstrated that it is acceptable to use the MVIC value obtained during the standard manual muscle test position in order to establish a percentage MVIC for a weight bearing exercise.

Several previously published research articles helped to establish the parameters for determining a sufficient level of muscle activation for strength gains referenced in the current study. Anderson found that in order for strengthening adaptation to occur, muscle stimuli of at least 40-60% of a subject's MVIC must occur.²⁰ When quantifying muscular strength, work by Visser correlates the use of a MVIC and a one-repetition maximum.²¹ In order to gain maximal muscular hypertrophy, Fry's work suggests an 80-95% of a subject's one repetition maximum must be achieved.²² Based on the work by Anderson,²⁰ Visser,²¹ and Fry,²² for the purposes of this study, exercises producing greater than 70%MVIC were deemed acceptable for enhancement of strength.

Distefano examined electromyography (EMG) signal amplitude normalized values of gluteus medius and gluteus maximus muscles during exercises of varying difficulty in order to determine which exercises most effectively recruit these muscles.³ Rank order of exercises and %MVIC of Distefano's study can be viewed in Table 1. Of the top five exercises for the gluteus medius described by Distefano, the authors of the current study chose to reexamine sidelying hip abduction, single limb squat, and the single limb deadlift. Lateral band walk was not included in the current study as the researchers wished to only examine exercises that required no external resistance.

Research by Bolgla and Uhl also examined the magnitude of hip abductor muscle activation during rehabilitative exercises.⁴ Their results may be viewed in Table 2. Of the exercises studied by Bolgla et al, the authors of the current study chose only to look at the pelvic drop and sidelying hip abduction. These two exercises were chosen since the primary intention of the current study was to compare an exercise's recruitment of the gluteal musculature, and not the activation effects of weight bearing versus non-weight bearing on the musculature.

Finally, Ayotte et al. used EMG to analyze lower extremity muscle activation of the pelvic stabilizers as well as the quadriceps complex during five unilateral weight bearing exercises,⁵ displayed in Table 3. The authors of the current study elected to forgo analyzing a single-limb wall squat and a single-limb mini-squat due to their similarity to the single-limb squat. Forward step-up and lateral step-up were included in the current analysis. The current study serves to compare top exercises from these previously published studies, as well as several other commonly performed clinical exercises in order to determine the exercises that are most effective at recruiting the gluteus maximus and medius.

METHODS

Testing Procedures

EMG data were collected and analyzed on the dominant leg, identified by which leg the subject used to kick a ball.^3,5,23 Alcohol wipes were used to clean the skin over the gluteal region prior to electrode placement. Schiller Blue Surface electrodes (Schiller America Inc.; Doral, FL) were placed over the gluteus medius and gluteus maximus muscles of the subject's dominant side,⁴ per standard EMG protocol.²⁴ In order to ensure consistent electrode placement throughout testing, electrodes were secured with surgical tape. Placement was confirmed by viewing EMG signals while separately activating each muscle. Subjects then performed a sub-maximal warm-up for five minutes on a stationary bicycle while watching a brief video of the exercises to be performed in order to familiarize subjects with exercise technique. A five-second MVIC was performed three times in the standard manual muscle testing protocol positions for each gluteal muscle^18,19 with one minute of rest between each contraction. A strap was secured around the distal femur during muscle testing for both muscles to ensure standardization of resistance (Figure 1). Verbal encouragement was given with each trial.

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See Also

The Legit Benefits of Squeezing Your Glutes for 15 Minutes a DayPainWhisperer.com | Trigger Point Therapy for Gluteal PainHow to Build a Better ButtGlute Activation Exercises | How To Activate Glutes

Figure 1.

Maximum voluntary isometric contraction testing example set up.

Exercise order was randomized using a random pattern generator²⁵ in order to avoid any order bias due to fatigue. Subjects were barefoot while performing exercises to prevent any potential variations that may have occurred due to footwear. Two minutes of rest was given between the performance of each exercise. Subjects performed eight repetitions of each exercise, three practice repetitions and five repetitions that were used for data collection. Exercises were performed to a metronome set at 60 beats per minute to standardize the rate of movement across subjects.

To replicate a clinical setting, researchers chose to use visual analysis of movement to ensure proper exercise technique rather than an electrogoniometer or movement analysis software since both of these procedures are unlikely to be available in a clinic. To ensure proper exercise technique, each subject was allowed three practice repetitions prior to data collection and any necessary verbal and tactile cues by the instructing researcher. A description of each exercise may be found in Appendix A. After completing all exercises, the subject's MVIC was reassessed to ensure electrodes had not been displaced during testing.

The equipment used for the conditions which required an unstable surface is the Core-Tex Balance Trainer™ (Performance Dynamics; San Diego, CA), a new piece of exercise equipment which is a platform mounted on a half-sphere atop a circular basin lined with ball bearings, creating an unstable and rapidly accelerating surface (Figure 2). The Core-Tex™ was developed to train a healthy fitness population; however, it may also be used to train individuals during rehabilitation in a clinical setting.

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Figure 2.

CorTex^TM equipment (Performance Dynamics, San Diego, CA).

RESULTS

Twenty-four subjects satisfied all eligibility criteria and consented to participate in the research study. Data from one subject were excluded due to faulty data from the EMG leads for both muscles, and data from another subject were excluded due to faulty data from the EMG lead for gluteus maximus only. There were a few other isolated instances of faulty data from EMG leads, in which case the subject's data were excluded from analysis for that specific exercise. The number of subjects included in data analysis for each exercise can be referenced in Tables 4 and ​and5.5. Due to the advanced level of some of the exercises included in the current study, such as single limb bridge on unstable surface and side plank, some subjects were unable to successfully complete all exercises. In these instances, subject data were not included in data analysis for that specific exercise. Peak amplitudes, expressed as %MVIC for gluteus medius and gluteus maximus, are rank ordered in Tables 4 and ​and5.5. Five of the exercises produced greater than 70%MVIC of the gluteus medius muscle. In rank order from highest EMG value to lowest, these exercises were: side plank abduction with dominant leg on bottom (103%MVIC), side plank abduction with dominant leg on top (89%MVIC), single limb squat (82%MVIC), clamshell (hip clam) progression 4 (77%MVIC), and font plank with hip extension (75%MVIC). Five of the exercises recruited gluteus maximus with values greater than 70%MVIC. In rank order from highest EMG value to lowest, these exercises were: front plank with hip extension (106%MVIC), gluteal squeeze (81%MVIC), side plank abduction with dominant leg on top (73%MVIC), side plank abduction with dominant leg on bottom (71%MVIC), and single limb squat (71%MVIC). Table 6 displays the exercises that produced greater than 70%MVIC for both gluteus medius and maximus muscles. These exercises included front plank with hip extension (75%MVIC, 106%MVIC), side plank abduction with dominant leg on top (89%MVIC, 73%MVIC), side plank abduction with dominant leg on bottom (103%MVIC, 71%MVIC), and single limb squat (82%MVIC, 71%MVIC) for gluteus medius and maximus respectively.

DISCUSSION

The main objective of this study was to examine muscle activity during common clinical exercises used to strengthen the gluteus medius and gluteus maximus muscles. This study sought to analyze and compare information reported in previous studies by Distefano, Bolga, and Ayotte regarding ranking of various therapeutic exercises using %MVIC. The secondary objective was to describe %MVIC for other commonly used therapeutic exercises not previously reported upon. The authors of this study chose to examine peak amplitude averaged over a 100 ms window, 50 ms prior to peak and 50 ms after the peak, during repetitions five, six and seven, the highest of which was converted to %MVIC. This methodology is similar to studies by both Distefano³ and Bolgla.⁴ Ayotte et al. averaged EMG activity over a 1.5 sec window during the concentric phase of each exercise.⁵ Due to slight differences in data collection and data analysis between the current study, and studies conducted by Distefano, Bolgla and Ayotte, interpretation of results and similarities across studies will predominantly address the sequence of rank order as opposed to absolute values for the %MVIC.^3–5

There were two exercises where %MVIC was found to be higher than MVIC, side plank abduction with dominant leg down (103%MVIC) for gluteus medius and front plank with hip extension (106%MVIC) for gluteus maximus. There are several possibilities as to why these findings may have occurred. One possibility is that subjects lacked sufficient motivation to perform a true maximal contraction during MVIC testing, despite the fact that verbal encouragement was given to all subjects during max testing of both muscles. Another possibility is that subjects were not able to truly give a maximum effort during the manual muscle test. Authors of previous research have reported that in order to obtain a true maximum contraction, it is necessary to superimpose an interpolated twitch, which is an electrically stimulated contraction, on top of the maximum voluntary contraction.²⁶ Current research in electrophysiology is further examining this phenomenon with mixed results regarding sensitivity of various interpolated twitch techniques, differences in methodology, and interpretation of their results.^27–29 Future researchers using MVIC for standardization across subjects should follow this research closely in order to ensure the most accurate methodology is used for establishing maximal voluntary muscle contractions. A final possibility is that with these exercises there was substantial co-contraction of the core musculature, which may have led to higher values than could be obtained during isolated volitional contraction. In the MMT positions used to establish MVIC the pelvis is stabilized against the surface of the table with relatively isolated muscle recruitment. In both of the above mentioned exercises, the pelvis does not have external support and higher EMG values could reflect increased activity due to an increased need for stabilization resulting in synergistic co-contraction. Future research may need to examine differences in muscle recruitment and activation patterns in exercises that test isolated muscle function versus ones that require core stabilization resulting in co-contraction.

CONCLUSION

Anderson and Fry have previously reported that higher %MVIC values with exercises correlate to muscle hypertrophy.^20,22 By knowing the %MVIC of the gluteus maximus and medius that occurs during various exercises, the potential for strengthening these muscles can be inferred. Subsequently, exercises may be ranked to appropriately challenge the gluteus maximus and medius during rehabilitation. The authors of the current study found patterns within their results consistent with previous research published by Distefano and Bolgla.^3,4 The authors conclude that differences in data collection and analysis as well as the use of external upper extremity support may have accounted for the differences noted between the current study and the study by Ayotte.⁵ One of the purposes of the current study was to provide a rank ordered list of exercises for the recruitment of the gluteus maximus and medius. These rank ordered lists may help form the basis for a graded rehabilitation program. For patients early in the rehabilitation process, the clinician should systematically determine which muscle they are wishing to strengthen and use less difficult (lower %MVIC) exercises. In order to maximally challenge a patient's gluteus maximus and medius, the authors recommend using a front plank with hip extension, a single limb squat, and a side plank on either extremity with hip abduction.

APPENDIX A

1. Clamshell (hip clam) Progression: Each exercise is performed with the subject sidelying on the non-dominant side. (Figure 3)

   1. Progression 1 (upper left): Start position is sidelying with hips flexed to approximately 45 degrees, knees flexed, and feet together. Subject externally rotates the top hip to bring the knees apart for one metronome beat and returns to start position during the next beat.

   2. Progression 2 (upper right): Start position identical to progression 1; however, in this progression subject keeps the knees together while internally rotating the top hip to lift the top foot away from the bottom foot for one metronome beat, returning to the start position during the next beat

   3. Progression 3 (lower left): The subject is positioned identical to progressions 1 and 2, but with the top leg raised parallel to the ground. The subject maintains the height of the knee while internally rotating at the hip by bringing the foot toward the ceiling for one beat and then returns to the start position during the next beat.

   4. Progression 4 (lower right): The subject is positioned the same as progression 3, but with the hip fully extended. As in progression 3, the subject maintains the height of the knee and internally rotates at the hip by bringing the foot toward the ceiling for one beat and returns to the start position with knee and ankle in line during the next beat.

2. Pelvic drop: Subject stands with dominant leg on the edge of a 5 cm box (right), and then lowers the heel of the non-dominant leg to touch the ground without bearing weight, for one beat (left). Subject returns foot to the height of the box while keeping the hips and knees extended for one beat. (Figure 4)

3. Sidelying abduction: Start with subject sidelying on non-dominant side. Subject flexes the hip and knee of the support side and then abducts the dominant leg to approximately 30 degrees while maintaining neutral or slight hip extension and knee extension with the toes pointed forward for a count of two beats up and two beats down. (Figure 5)

4. Side Plank with Abduction, dominant leg up: (Start with subject in a side plank position with dominant leg up. Subject is instructed to keep shoulders, hips, knees, and ankles in line bilaterally, and then to rise to plank position with hips lifted off ground to achieve neutral alignment of trunk, hips, and knees. The subject is allowed upper extremity support as seen on left. While balancing on elbows and feet, the subject raises the top leg into abduction (right) for one beat and then lowers leg for one beat. Subject maintains plank position throughout all repetitions (Figure 6).

5. Side Plank with Abduction, dominant leg down: Exercise position is identical to Exercise 4 except on the opposite side. Subject is instructed to abduct the non-dominant uppermost leg for two beats and lowers leg for two beats. Subject maintains plank position throughout all repetitions.

6. Front Plank with Hip Extension: Start with subject prone on elbows in plank with trunk, hips, and knees in neutral alignment (left). Subject lifts the dominant leg off of the ground, flexes the knee of the dominant leg, and extends the hip past neutral hip alignment by bringing the heel toward the ceiling (right) for one beat and then returns to parallel for one beat. (Figure 7)

7. Single Limb Bridging on Stable Surface: Start with subject in hook-lying position (left). The subject is instructed to bridge on both legs by keeping the feet on the floor and raising hips off the ground to achieve neutral trunk, hip, and knee alignment for one beat. From this position, the subject extends the knee of the non-dominant leg to full knee extension while keeping the femurs parallel (right) for one beat, returns the non-dominant leg to the bridge position for one beat, and then lowers the body back to the ground for one beat (Figure 8).

8. Single Limb Bridge on Unstable Surface: Subject is positioned as in Exercise 7 and places the dominant foot in the center of the Core-Tex™ (left). The subject performs the same sequence as above (right) while maintaining the disc of the Core-Tex™ in the center. (Figure 9)

9. Hip Circumduction on Stable Surface: The subject places the non-dominant leg on the outside of the base of the Core-Tex™ and stands to the side of the Core-Tex™ on the dominant leg (left). The subject performs a single limb squat while tracing the toe of the non-dominant leg on the outside of the Core-Tex™ base (right) in an arc for three beats, then traces the toe back to the start, while returning to a standing position for three beats. Subjects were allowed two-finger unilateral upper extremity support on the frame of the Core-Tex™ for balance assist. (Figure 10).

10. Hip Circumduction on Unstable Surface: In standing, the subject places the non-dominant foot on the outer edge of the Core-Tex™ and stands to the side of the Core-Tex™ on the dominant leg (left). The subject then performs a single limb squat on the dominant leg while drawing an arc with the non-dominant foot, extending the arc away from the subject for three beats (right). The subject then returns the foot to the starting position by drawing the foot in, while returning to a standing position for three beats. Subjects were allowed upper extremity support as in Exercise 9. (Figure 11)

11. Single Limb Squat: Subject stands on the dominant leg, slowly lowering the buttocks to touch a chair 47cm in height for two beats and then extends back to standing for two beats. (Figure 12)

12. Single Limb Deadlift: Subject stands on the dominant leg and slowly flexes at the hip, keeping the back straight, to touch the floor with the opposite hand for two beats. Subject then extends at the hip to standing for two beats. Subjects were permitted to have knees either straight or slightly bent in the case that hamstring tightness limited subject's ability to touch the floor. (Figure 13)

13. Dynamic Leg Swing: Subject is positioned in standing on the dominant leg, and then begins to swing the non-dominant leg (with the knee flexed) into hip flexion (left) and extension (right) at a rate of one beat forward and one beat backward. Subjects were instructed to move through a smooth range of hip motion and to not allow their trunk to move out of the upright position. (Figure 14)

14. Forward Step-up: Beginning with both feet on the ground, subject steps forward onto a 20cm step with the dominant leg for one beat. Subject then steps up with the non-dominant leg during the next beat. Subject then lowers the non-dominant leg back to the ground for one beat followed by the dominant leg during the next beat. (Figure 15)

15. Lateral Step-up: Subject stands on the edge of a 15cm box on the dominant leg and squats slowly to lower the heel of the non-dominant leg toward floor for one beat and then returns to start position during the next beat. (Figure 16)

16. Quadruped Hip Extension: In quadruped (left) the subject extends the dominant leg at the hip, while keeping the knee flexed 90 degrees, to lift the foot toward the ceiling (right) to achieve neutral hip extension for two beats and then returns the dominant leg to the start position for two beats. This exercise was repeated with the non-dominant leg and EMG values were recorded in order to measure activity as both the stabilizing and moving leg. (Figure 17)

17. Skater Squat: Subject stands on the dominant leg and performs a squat to a comfortable knee flexion angle for two beats down and two beats up with non-dominant leg extended at the hip and flexed at the knee. The torso twists during the squat. The toe of the non-dominant leg was permitted to touch the ground between repetitions. (Figure 18)

18. Gluteal Squeeze: In standing with feet shoulder-width apart, subject squeezes gluteal muscles for two beats and then relaxes for two beats. Subjects were instructed to maximally contract the gluteal musculature during the exercise.

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Figure 18.

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REFERENCES