Muscle Activations During Bulgarian Split Squat Exercise Variations

NCT06112015 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: ODU-SBFTR-AYGUNPOLAT
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 21
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

It is essential to practice and train appropriate activation techniques to ensure optimum strength development. Knowing the effects of exercise variations that will minimize the tension forces acting on the knee by increasing the activation of the lumbo-pelvic-hip complex muscles, which are critical during sports activities, is extremely important in terms of preventing injuries. The aim of this study is to compare muscular activations during traditional and suspension-based Bulgarian split squat exercises and to examine the effect of trunk position on muscular activations.

Conditions

Sports Physical Therapy

Keywords

Electromyography; Exercise Theraphy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Surface EMG Measurement

  During data collection, the EMG Noraxon MiniDTS system (Noraxon Inc.) was used to measure the signals from the muscle. Additionally, the participants were video-recorded to prevent any potential mistakes that might have gone unnoticed during the activities.

  in an average of one hour

• Normalization of Surface EMG

  To normalize the EMG data obtained during the exercises, MVIC was performed for each muscle. Participants were asked to warm up on a treadmill at submaximal speed for 8 minutes before starting the measurements. Measurements were performed with 3 repetitions, each lasting 5 seconds, and a 1-minute rest period between repetitions. During the measurements, participants were verbally encouraged to give their maximum effort. After the MVIC measurements, participants were given a 5-minute rest period.

  in an average of one hour

Study Arms (1)

female athletes

EXPERIMENTAL

21 female athletes from different branches performed 4 different sessions of Bulgarian split squat exercises.

Other: Bulgarian split squat exercise variations

Interventions

Bulgarian split squat exercise variations OTHER

The participants performed 4 different sessions of Bulgarian split squat exercises-Bulgarian split squat with trunk flexion (BSS flexion), Bulgarian Split squat with trunk neutral (BSS neutral), suspension based Bulgarian split squat with trunk flexion (SBSS flexion), suspension based Bulgarian split squat with trunk neutral (SBSS neutral)-with EMG recordings being taken from the dominant extremity throughout each session. For each exercise, participants were instructed to perform three successful repetitions. Between each repetition, there was a 30-second break, and there was at least 10 minutes in between each of the 4 exercises. The movement was standardized by a metronome. The modified Borg scale was used to ensure that fatigue did not occur before each exercise since it was believed that fatigue could affect exercise performance. When scores reported using the modified Borg scale were 1 or lower, exercise recording was started.

female athletes

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 25 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Being a licensed athlete in one's own field,
• Having been engaged in sports for at least 2 years

You may not qualify if:

• Individuals with any musculoskeletal injury history in the lower extremities and trunk that could impede exercise within the last year,
• Individuals with systemic, neurological, and/or cognitive issues,
• Individuals experiencing pain in the lower extremities and trunk during exercises

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Ordu University: lead
• Gazi University: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Ordu University

Ordu, 52200, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Aygun-Polat E, Guzel NA, Guruhan S, Polat Y, Karatas N. Targeted muscle activation in Bulgarian split squat variations: effects of trunk position and suspension-based execution. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2025 Aug 27;17(1):251. doi: 10.1186/s13102-025-01306-z.

  PMID: 40867012 DERIVED

Study Officials

• Elif AYGUN POLAT

  Ordu University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Nevin A. GUZEL

  Gazi University

  STUDY DIRECTOR

• Sonay GURUHAN

  Gazi University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Nihan KAFA

  Gazi University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: DIAGNOSTIC
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: October 19, 2023
• First Posted: November 1, 2023
• Study Start: July 1, 2022
• Primary Completion: September 1, 2022
• Study Completion: May 30, 2023
• Last Updated: December 5, 2024

Record last verified: 2024-12

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)