Activity and functions of the human gluteal muscles in walking, running, sprinting, and climbing

Bibliographic Data

ID8312923
AuthorsJamie L Bartlett (0000-0001-7934-7119, Locomotion Laboratory Department of Integrative Physiology University of Colorado Boulder CO 80309, corresponding author), Bonnie Sumner (0000-0001-5069-8775, Locomotion Laboratory Department of Integrative Physiology University of Colorado Boulder CO 80309), Richard G Ellis (Locomotion Laboratory Department of Integrative Physiology University of Colorado Boulder CO 80309), Rodger Kram (0000-0002-2526-1608, Locomotion Laboratory Department of Integrative Physiology University of Colorado Boulder CO 80309)
Year2014
Volume153
Issue1
Pages124-131
Publication date2014-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAmerican Journal of Physical Anthropology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0002-9483 • E-ISSN: 1096-8644
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/ajpa.22419
PMID24218079
OpenAlexW1494033542
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited52

It has been suggested that the uniquely large gluteus maximus (GMAX) muscles were an important adaptation during hominin evolution based on numerous anatomical differences between humans and extant apes. GMAX electromyographic (EMG) signals have been quantified for numerous individual movements, but not across the range of locomotor gaits and speeds for the same subjects. Thus, comparing relative EMG amplitudes between these activities has not been possible. We assessed the EMG activity of the gluteal muscles during walking, running, sprinting, and climbing. To gain further insight into the function of the gluteal muscles during locomotion, we measured muscle activity during walking and running with external devices that increased or decreased the need to control either forward or backward trunk pitch. We hypothesized that 1) GMAX EMG activity would be greatest during sprinting and climbing and 2) GMAX EMG activity would be modulated in response to altered forward trunk pitch demands during running. We found that GMAX activity in running was greater than walking and similar to climbing. However, the activity during sprinting was much greater than during running. Further, only the inferior portion of the GMAX had a significant change with altered trunk pitch demands, suggesting that the hip extensors have a limited contribution to the control of trunk pitch movements during running. Overall, our data suggest that the large size of the GMAX reflects its multifaceted role during rapid and powerful movements rather than as a specific adaptation for a single submaximal task such as endurance running. Am J Phys Anthropol 153:124–131, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Climbing · Gluteal muscles · Physical medicine and rehabilitation · Physical therapy · Structural engineering · Computer Science · Engineering · Lower Extremity Biomechanics and Pathologies · Medicine · Muscle activation and electromyography studies · Sports Performance and Training

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