Comparing Muscle Forces During Deadlifts, Goodmornings and Split Squats

Chasing the holy grail of efficient and targeted progress with lower injury risk.

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This study examines muscle forces during deadlifts, good mornings, and split squats using musculoskeletal simulation. The researchers aimed to provide insights for designing effective strength training programs with lower injury risk.

PMID: 28725437

Key Points

• 11 participants performed 10 variations of split squats

• 13 participants performed deadlifts and goodmornings

• Individualised musculoskeletal models were used to compute forces in the Quadriceps, Hamstrings, and Gluteus Maximus

Methods

• Motion capture and force plate data collected during exercises

• OpenSim used to calculate muscle forces from kinematic and kinetic data

• Exercises performed with additional loads of 25-50% of body weight

• Muscle forces normalised to body weight and analysed across joint angles

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Results

Quadriceps:

• Highest loading in vasti muscles during deadlifts (18-34 N/kg) but not for the rectus femoris

• Rectus femoris had the highest loading in the rear limb during split squats (13-27 N/kg)