A Comparative Electromyographic Study of the Effect of Four Selected Closed Chain Squat Exercises on Vastus Medialis Oblique and Vastus Lateralis

Author

Barbara D. Campbell, Grand Valley State University
Michelle Kosiara, Grand Valley State University
Heidi Tolloff, Grand Valley State University

Date Approved

1998

Graduate Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Physical Therapy (M.S.)

Degree Program

Physical Therapy

Abstract

Patellofemoral dysfunction (PFD) usually involves patellar maltracking. Vastus medialis oblique (VMO) and vastus lateralis (VL) are two key muscles that help maintain patellar alignment. Open kinetic chain (OKC) studies suggested that the optimum ratio of VMO:VL is about 1:1. With PFD the VMO becomes much weaker. Purpose: To determine which of four partial squat exercises, often used in rehabilitation, best favors VMO firing: partial squat, partial squat squeezing a ball between knees, partial squat with pulley resistance and partial squat with 45° oblique pulley resistance. Analysis of EMG for 31 normal subjects randomly performing all four exercises using repeated ANOVA were insignificant (p<.05) except for 10 males performing plain partial squat. In all 4 closed kinetic chain exercises VMO:VL mean ratios (1.30-1.43) were greater than the reported 1:1 OKC norm. Conclusion: No partial squat exercise was any better at favoring VMO over VL output except males performing partial squat.

Comments

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ScholarWorks Citation

Campbell, Barbara D.; Kosiara, Michelle; and Tolloff, Heidi, "A Comparative Electromyographic Study of the Effect of Four Selected Closed Chain Squat Exercises on Vastus Medialis Oblique and Vastus Lateralis" (1998). Masters Theses. 402.
https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/theses/402