The effects of stance width on muscle activation and performance during Romanian deadlift exercise

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the effect of different stance-width; i) narrow, ii) shoulder and iii) wide, on muscle activation and performance during Romanian deadlift (RDL) exercise. Thirty recreationally resistance trained men aged of 19-23 years old (22.20±1.13) were involved in this study. The participants need to perform RDL with 80% of their 1RM in three sessions with three difference stances in randomized order. To measure the muscle activation level during performing the exercise, the electromyogram (EMG) marker was placed on vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, gluteus maximus and multifidus muscles. The number of repetitions completed during each sets was recorded as indicator for performance. The mean EMG value during concentric and eccentric movement along with the number of repetitions completed were analysed using one way repeated measure analysis of variances (ANOVA). The result showed no significant differences were found on EMG reading of vastus lateralis and bicep femoris during eccentric and concentric phase of RDL when three different stances were used. However, when wide stances were used, a significant difference was observed on gluteus maximus whilst significant differences on multifidus were obviously seen when narrow stance were used. Higher number of repetition completed was significantly found when wide and shoulder width stances were used compared to narrow stance. The results of this study revealed the importance to choose correct stance width (depending on training objective) while performing RDL due to its effects on the muscle activation and performance.

Relationship Between Stance Width Variation During One Repetition Maximum Barbell Hip Thrust Performance and Kicking Speed for Young Elite Silat Athletes

“…This is the first study to examine the effect of barbell hip thrust associations on kicking performance for different types of stance width for combat sports. Another setting of lower limb exercise on different stance widths showed significant improvement in terms of muscle activity during wide stance in Romanian deadlift (Koderi et al, 2020), which focuses more on external knee movement, which involves more bicep femoris activated, as this is also one of the significant muscle contributions during in kicking action. Gender preferences in barbell hip thrust studies have not been extensively researched.…”

Flywheel Romanian Deadlift: Intra- and Inter-Day Kinetic and Kinematic Reliability of Four Inertial Loads Using Cluster Sets

“…A total of 20 amateur male collegiate field sport athletes (Gaelic football, hurling, and soccer) voluntarily participated in this study (age, 23.3 ± 3.7 years; mass, 80.8 ± 9.9 kg; height, 1.79 ± 0.06 m). Inclusion criteria dictated that participants be deemed “resistance-trained individuals” based on training experience (2.0 ± years) and a relative one-repetition maximum (1RM) lower-body-strength level (1.5 × body weight) for the RDL [ 21 ]. Participants were in the off-season of their chosen sport, which included reduced training schedules.…”

Effects of loading positions on the activation of trunk and hip muscles during flywheel and dumbbell single-leg Romanian deadlift exercises

“…Romanian deadlift (RDL) is a multi-joint closed-kinetic chain exercise for strengthening the lower limb muscles including hamstring and gluteus maximus ( Koderi et al, 2020 ), back extensors, and also the lumbar region ( Mayer et al, 2008 ). It is well known for its potential benefits in reducing the risk of hamstring injuries ( Brughelli and Cronin, 2008 ).…”