Analysis of Gluteus Maximus and Hamstrings Muscle Activity in Eccentric Exercise Using Reverse Treadmill Walking with Varied Speeds and Stride Lengths

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate effective eccentric exercise methods by analyzing gluteus maximus andhamstring muscle activity through various treadmill exercises with differences in speed and stride length. Design: Cross-sectional designMethods: Twenty healthy men were instructed to perform hamstring eccentric exercise with treadmill. Treadmill exercises wereperformed at speeds of 0.4 km/h, 0.8 km/h, and 1.2 km/h. For each speed, the exercise was conducted at the subject's normal stridelength, -10% stride length, and +10% stride length of the normal stride length. EMG (Electromyography) data (% maximumvoluntary isometric contraction) were recorded three times from the gluteus maximus, biceps femoris, semitendinosus ofparticipant’s and the mean values were analyzed. Results: There was a significant difference in speed for Gluteus maximus, Biceps femoris, Semitendinosus (p<0.05), but therewas no significant difference in stride length and interaction between speed and stride length. All muscles groups showed greateractivity as the speed increased (p<0.05). Conclusions: Hamstring eccentric exercise with a treadmill shows higher muscle activation as the speed increases and isespecially optimized for activating the biceps femoris muscle.