Electromyographic Comparison of Barbell Deadlift, Hex Bar Deadlift, and Hip Thrust Exercises: A Cross-Over Study.
Andersen, V, Fimland, MS, Mo, D-A, Iversen, VM, Vederhus, T, Rockland Hellebø, LR, Nordaune, KI, and Saeterbakken, AH. Electromyographic comparison of barbell deadlift, hex bar deadlift, and hip thrust exercises: a cross-over study. J Strength Cond Res 32(3): 587-593, 2018-The aim of the study was to compare the muscle activation level of the gluteus maximus, biceps femoris, and erector spinae in the hip thrust, barbell deadlift, and hex bar deadlift; each of which are compound resisted hip extension exercises. After 2 familiarization sessions, 13 resistance-trained men performed a 1 repetition maximum in all 3 exercises in 1 session, in randomized and counterbalanced order. The whole ascending movement (concentric phase), as well as its lower and upper parts (whole movement divided in 2), were analyzed. The hip thrust induced greater activation of the gluteus maximus compared with the hex bar deadlift in the whole (16%, p = 0.025) and the upper part (26%, p = 0.015) of the movement. For the whole movement, the biceps femoris was more activated during barbell deadlift compared with both the hex bar deadlift (28%, p < 0.001) and hip thrust (20%, p = 0.005). In the lower part of the movement, the biceps femoris activation was, respectively, 48% and 26% higher for the barbell deadlift (p < 0.001) and hex bar deadlift (p = 0.049) compared with hip thrust. Biceps femoris activation in the upper part of the movement was 39% higher for the barbell deadlift compared with the hex bar deadlift (p = 0.001) and 34% higher for the hip thrust compared with the hex bar deadlift (p = 0.002). No differences were displayed for the erector spinae activation (p = 0.312-0.859). In conclusion, the barbell deadlift was clearly superior in activating the biceps femoris compared with the hex bar deadlift and hip thrust, whereas the hip thrust provided the highest gluteus maximus activation.
Faculty of Teacher Education and Sport, Sogn and Fjordane University College, Sogn og Fjordane Norway.
Vidar
V
Andersen
Department of Public Health and General Practice, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.
Marius S
MS
Fimland
Faculty of Teacher Education and Sport, Sogn and Fjordane University College, Sogn og Fjordane Norway.
Dag-Andrè
DA
Mo
Department of Public Health and General Practice, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.
Vegard M
VM
Iversen
Faculty of Teacher Education and Sport, Sogn and Fjordane University College, Sogn og Fjordane Norway.
Torbjørn
T
Vederhus
Faculty of Teacher Education and Sport, Sogn and Fjordane University College, Sogn og Fjordane Norway.
Lars R
LR
Rockland Hellebø
Faculty of Teacher Education and Sport, Sogn and Fjordane University College, Sogn og Fjordane Norway.
Kristina I
KI
Nordaune
Faculty of Teacher Education and Sport, Sogn and Fjordane University College, Sogn og Fjordane Norway.
Atle H
AH
Saeterbakken
D000328:Adult; D002081:Buttocks; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004576:Electromyography; D000070633:Hamstring Muscles; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D064170:Paraspinal Muscles; D055070:Resistance Training / Q000379:methods*; D013848:Thigh; D055815:Young Adult