Evaluation of Quadriceps Femoris Muscle Electromyographic Activity in Healthy Adult Males During Common Strength Exercises: A Systematic Review

Document Type : Systematic Review

Authors
M. Saleh Shahreza
S. Zandi
S. H. Mousavi
University of Tehran
10.22034/IJMPP.9.4.1106
Abstract
Aims: The primary objective of this study was to systematically review the existing literature on quadriceps femoris muscle activity, as measured by sEMG, in healthy adult males during common strength exercises.

Method and Materials: This systematic review used the PRISMA guidelines. Original research articles published up to December 2023 were retrieved from the PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. The inclusion criteria required studies to (a) be available in full-text English, (b) utilize cross-sectional or longitudinal study designs (experimental or cohort), (c) report electromyography activity as a percentage of Maximal Voluntary Isometric Contraction (%MVIC), (d) analyze Rectus Femoris (RF), Vastus Lateralis (VL), and Vastus Medialis (VM) muscles, (e) focus on resistance training exercises as the primary intervention, (f) be published within the last ten years, and (g) include healthy adult male participants.

Findings: The review results indicated that the VL was the most frequently studied quadriceps muscle across different exercises. Notably, the leg press demonstrated the highest activation levels for both the VL and VM, while the Spanish squat elicited the highest activation for the RF. Additionally, the deadlift showed substantial activation of the VL, though to a lesser extent than the leg press.

Conclusion: These findings highlight the importance of exercise selection for targeting specific quadriceps muscles during strength training. Furthermore, to ensure the accuracy and reliability of sEMG data, it is critical to establish standardized methodological criteria for its use.

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International Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain Prevention
Volume 9, Issue 4
November 2024
Pages 1106-1113