Investigation of Gluteus Medius and Biceps Femoris Activity in Three Plyometric Exercises

Purpose: This study was accomplished to investigate the electromyographic activity of 3 plyometric exercises (tuck jump and single leg hop in sagittal and frontal planes) to find out the appropriate procedures for strengthening biceps femoris and gluteus medius muscles. Methods: The kind of study is applied and data were collected from the supervised exercises of 15 male athletes without injury of lower extremity from Tehran University, which participated voluntarily in this research. It was assumed that subjects expend the extreme potential during their activities. Statistical analysis was made using repeated measures ANOVA to investigate the muscle activity in feedforward and feedback phases of landing with SPSS 20. Results: Significant differences (P≤0.05) were found between treatments in relation to feedforward and feedback phases of muscles activities. Single leg hop in sagittal and frontal planes showed the highest activity of biceps femoris and gluteus medius in feedforward phase, respectively. Nevertheless, tuck jump demonstrated the lowest activity of these muscles in both phases. Conclusion: According to the results, single leg hop in sagittal and frontal planes could be the most appropriate exercises for improving strength and neuromuscular system of gluteus medius and biceps femoris. We should take special attention to these 2 plyometric exercises in exercise programs. However, tuck jump in comparison with 2 other exercises show less efectiveness.