Changes in muscle activation during wall slides and squat-machine exercise

Closed kinetic chain exercises are commonly used in strengthening and rehabilitation programs. Altering positions of body segments and supports might affect the way these exercises are performed. The purpose of this study was to compare gluteal, quadriceps, hamstring, and plantar flexor muscle activations during wall-slide (WS) vs, squat-machine (SM) exercise. In addition, the effects of support location and foot position were investigated. Twenty women performed 8 exercises, to 60 degrees of knee flexion. Results indicated that placing the foot forward caused an increase in all muscle activations except in the plantar flexors, which showed an increase with the foot placed in line with the hip. This effect was exaggerated during WS for the plantar flexors and quadriceps and during SM for the hamstrings. When the support was located at the scapular level, hamstring and gluteal activations were greater, and quadriceps activity was less during SM than during WS. These results could be used to target specific muscle groups during strengthening exercise.