Comparison of Contraction Phase of Trunk and Lower Extremities Muscle Activity During Kneeling Squat in Individuals With Chronic Low Back Pain

Background: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is associated with trunk and lower extremity muscle weakness. Kneeling squat (KS) is a hip-focused exercise commonly used in the activities of daily living. However, research on trunk and lower extremity muscle activity across movement phases (ascending, hold...

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Main Authors: Yusung Park, Sae-hwa Kim, Ji-hyun Lee, Heon-seock Cynn
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Korean Research Society of Physical Therapy 2025-04-01
Series:Physical Therapy Korea
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author Yusung Park
Sae-hwa Kim
Ji-hyun Lee
Heon-seock Cynn
author_facet Yusung Park
Sae-hwa Kim
Ji-hyun Lee
Heon-seock Cynn
author_sort Yusung Park
collection DOAJ
description Background: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is associated with trunk and lower extremity muscle weakness. Kneeling squat (KS) is a hip-focused exercise commonly used in the activities of daily living. However, research on trunk and lower extremity muscle activity across movement phases (ascending, holding, and descending) during KS remains limited and warrants further investigation. Objects: To determine the muscle activity of transversus abdominis/internal oblique (TrA/IO), erector spinae, gluteus maximus (Gmax), gluteus medius (Gmed), rectus femoris (RF) in the contraction phases of KS in individuals with CLBP. Methods: Surface electromyography data were recorded during KS across the ascending, holding, and descending phases on the side with CLBP. A 60-bit metronome was used to control the exercise speed. Results: The muscle activity of the TrA/IO was significantly higher during the holding phase than during the ascending and descending phases. The Gmax and Gmed were significantly higher during the holding phase than during the descending phase, whereas, RF was significantly higher during the ascending phase than during the holding and descending phases. Conclusion: The holding phase of KS may be recommended as a trunk and lower extremity exercise to increase in TrA/IO, Gmax, and Gmed muscle activity. Additionally, the ascending phase activates RF muscle in individuals with CLBP.
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spelling doaj-art-4a4fc9ba678747b3a5f1bab77a788c5a2025-08-20T02:26:51ZengKorean Research Society of Physical TherapyPhysical Therapy Korea1225-89622287-982X2025-04-01321283610.12674/ptk.2025.32.1.28Comparison of Contraction Phase of Trunk and Lower Extremities Muscle Activity During Kneeling Squat in Individuals With Chronic Low Back PainYusung Park0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3683-8214Sae-hwa Kim1https://orcid.org/0009-0008-9821-5021Ji-hyun Lee2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9864-5485Heon-seock Cynn3https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5810-2371Applied Kinesiology and Ergonomic Technology Laboratory, Department of Physical Therapy, The Graduate School, Yonsei University, Wonju, KoreaApplied Kinesiology and Ergonomic Technology Laboratory, Department of Physical Therapy, The Graduate School, Yonsei University, Wonju, Korea Department of Physical Therapy, Division of Health Science, Baekseok University, Cheonan, KoreaApplied Kinesiology and Ergonomic Technology Laboratory, Department of Physical Therapy, The Graduate School, Yonsei University, Wonju, KoreaBackground: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is associated with trunk and lower extremity muscle weakness. Kneeling squat (KS) is a hip-focused exercise commonly used in the activities of daily living. However, research on trunk and lower extremity muscle activity across movement phases (ascending, holding, and descending) during KS remains limited and warrants further investigation. Objects: To determine the muscle activity of transversus abdominis/internal oblique (TrA/IO), erector spinae, gluteus maximus (Gmax), gluteus medius (Gmed), rectus femoris (RF) in the contraction phases of KS in individuals with CLBP. Methods: Surface electromyography data were recorded during KS across the ascending, holding, and descending phases on the side with CLBP. A 60-bit metronome was used to control the exercise speed. Results: The muscle activity of the TrA/IO was significantly higher during the holding phase than during the ascending and descending phases. The Gmax and Gmed were significantly higher during the holding phase than during the descending phase, whereas, RF was significantly higher during the ascending phase than during the holding and descending phases. Conclusion: The holding phase of KS may be recommended as a trunk and lower extremity exercise to increase in TrA/IO, Gmax, and Gmed muscle activity. Additionally, the ascending phase activates RF muscle in individuals with CLBP.electromyographyexercisekneeling squatlow back pain
spellingShingle Yusung Park
Sae-hwa Kim
Ji-hyun Lee
Heon-seock Cynn
Comparison of Contraction Phase of Trunk and Lower Extremities Muscle Activity During Kneeling Squat in Individuals With Chronic Low Back Pain
Physical Therapy Korea
electromyography
exercise
kneeling squat
low back pain
title Comparison of Contraction Phase of Trunk and Lower Extremities Muscle Activity During Kneeling Squat in Individuals With Chronic Low Back Pain
title_full Comparison of Contraction Phase of Trunk and Lower Extremities Muscle Activity During Kneeling Squat in Individuals With Chronic Low Back Pain
title_fullStr Comparison of Contraction Phase of Trunk and Lower Extremities Muscle Activity During Kneeling Squat in Individuals With Chronic Low Back Pain
title_full_unstemmed Comparison of Contraction Phase of Trunk and Lower Extremities Muscle Activity During Kneeling Squat in Individuals With Chronic Low Back Pain
title_short Comparison of Contraction Phase of Trunk and Lower Extremities Muscle Activity During Kneeling Squat in Individuals With Chronic Low Back Pain
title_sort comparison of contraction phase of trunk and lower extremities muscle activity during kneeling squat in individuals with chronic low back pain
topic electromyography
exercise
kneeling squat
low back pain
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