Superficial and Deep Gluteal Muscle Activation During Common Therapeutic Exercises: A Muscle Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Deep gluteal muscles play an important role in femoral rotation and hip stability, but are often neglected in clinical research. We quantified and compared activation changes of superficial and deep gluteal muscles across 4 common therapeutic exercises: single-leg bridge (BRIDGE), side-lying clamshell (CLAM), side-lying reverse clamshell (R-CLAM), and side-lying hip abduction with external rotation (ABD-ER).

Hypothesis

ABD-ER activates both superficial and deep gluteal muscles more effectively than other exercises.

Study design

Controlled laboratory study.

Level of evidence

Level 2.

Methods

Ten healthy, physically active people (5 women and 5 men; age, 27.2 ± 1.9 years; Tegner activity scale, 6.4 ± 0.5) participated. Muscle functional magnetic

SUBMITTER: Kim S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12454362 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature