Investigating the Impact of Different Resisted Lateral Band Walking Strategies on Hip Abductor Muscle Activity

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of squat posture, band position, and contraction type on the muscle activity of the hip abductors during resisted lateral band walking. Design: A cross-sectional survey study Methods: 24 healthy male subjects were recruited, and surface electromyography was used to measure the muscle activity of the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, and tensor fascia lata of the dominant leg during lateral walking exercises. Resistance bands were applied to the knees, ankles, and feet in semi-squat and squat postures, and exercises were randomly performed under six different conditions. Results: The results showed significant differences in muscle activity in the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, and tensor fascia lata according to posture, band position, and contraction type (p＜0.05). The muscle activity of the hip abductors increased in the squat posture and with the band placed on the distal joint compared to the proximal joint (p＜0.05). Additionally, muscle activity was higher in the eccentric contraction phase than in the concentric contraction phase (p＜0.05). Contrary to previous studies, moving the resistance band from the ankle to the foot increased the muscle activity of the tensor fascia lata while the activity of the gluteus maximus and gluteus medius also increased. Conclusions: According to the results, squat posture with a resistance band placed on the feet and using an eccentric contraction phase were found to be the most effective methods for strengthening the hip abductors.