The purpose of this study was to compare the EMG of the gluteus maximus and biceps femoris between the lunge and the parallel squat. Seven subjects, with experience in strength training, performed eight repetitions of the parallel squat (PS) and the lunge (LU) with an overload corresponding to 50% of body mass. The EMG of the gluteus maximus and biceps femoris was captured, filtered by a forth order Butterworth filter (20-400 Hz) and calculated RMS values. The Wilcoxon Ranked test was used to compare the normalized EMG of each muscle between the two exercises. Both the biceps femoris (p = 0.041) and the gluteus maximus (p = 0.0059) showed increased activation in LU compared to the PS. Despite the moderate activation in both exercises, ranging from 25% to 45%, the myoelectric response of the analyzed muscles was higher, for the participants, in the lunge exercise.
Electromyography; Resistance training; Hip
