Lower body muscle activation during low load versus high load forward lunge among untrained men

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine and compare the muscle activation during low load forward lunge (30% 1RM) and jump forward lunge (70% 1RM). Thirty recreationally active, untrained men (mean age = 21 ± 0.83 years old) were recruited and were assigned to perform forward lunge with 30% 1RM (30FL) and 70% 1RM (70FL) with both their dominant and non-dominant leg. Results showed the muscle activation of all muscles were significantly greater in the 70FL compared to 30FL. Besides that, all the muscle activation was also greater in dominant limb compared to non-dominant limb during both of the loading protocols. Due to the imbalances of muscle activation shown in this study, it was suggested that future studies to examine the long term effects of different loading protocols on the muscle adaptation.

Keywords: Forward lunge, Muscle, Loadings, Untrained