Sex comparisons of strength and coactivation following ten weeks of deadlift training
Document Type
Article
Journal/Book Title/Conference
Journal of Musculoskeletal and Neuronal Interactions
Volume
14
Issue
3
Publisher
Hylonome
Publication Date
9-1-2014
First Page
387
Last Page
397
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To examine the effects of a ten week deadlift training program on peak torque and agonist-antagonist coactivation. METHODS: Fifty-four untrained subjects (mean age=23 years) participated in this investigation, and were randomly assigned to a training (males, n=17; females, n=17) or control (males, n=9; females, n=11) group. The subjects in the training group performed deadlifts twice per week. Isometric peak torque for the leg extensors and flexors and surface electromyographic (EMG) amplitude for the superficial quadriceps and biceps femoris muscles were assessed. RESULTS: Deadlift training increased leg extension peak torque for the males (P=.008, Cohen's d=0.43) and females (P=.003, d=0.48). Leg flexion peak torque improved for the females (P=.001, d=0.45). Increased EMG amplitude for the superficial quadriceps femoris muscles when they served as agonists was demonstrated for the females (P=.010, d=0.40), but not the males (P=.059, d=0.20). For both sexes, the effect sizes for the decline in biceps femoris coactivation were large. CONCLUSION: Deadlift training elicited improvements in strength and agonist-antagonist coactivation in untrained subjects, and particularly, novice females.
Recommended Citation
Stock, M.S., and Thompson, B.J. (2014). Sex comparisons of strength and coactivation following ten weeks of deadlift training. Journal of Musculoskeletal & Neuronal Interactions, 14(3): 387-397.