Analysis of the squat exercise with and without physioball and elastic band in different intensities

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to analyze the myoelectric activity (EMG), the time under tension (TST) and the knee projection in the squat exercise without the use of implements (SI) and with the use of physioball (PH) and elastic band (EB) at different intensities of effort. Ten men performed the exercise in the three protocols with the intensity of 50 and 100% of 10 RM. The distance between knees in the control protocol (51.25 cm) was lower when compared to SI 50% (84.38 cm, p <0.001), with SI 100% (88.80 cm, p <0.001) and with EB 100% (67.41cm, p = 0.014). The distance between the knees was also lower for the protocols PH 100% (53.10cm, p <0.001) and EB 100% (67.41, p <0.001) compared to the SI 100% (88.80 cm) protocols. The Vasto Medial Oblique (VMO) presented greater activation in the SI 50% protocols (p = 0.035) and PH 50% (p = 0.028) when compared to the EB 50% protocol. The accomplishment of squatting with submaximal loads seems to increase and decrease the activation of VMO when performed with physioball and BE, respectively.