The Relation between the Changes of Postural Achievement, Lower Limb Muscle Activities, and Balance Stability in Three Different Deep-squatting Postures

• Published in: Journal of PHYSIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2008/01/31, Vol.27(1), pp.11-17
• Main Authors: Sriwarno, Andar Bagus, Shimomura, Yoshihiro, Iwanaga, Koichi, Katsuura, Tetsuo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Electromyography; Exercise - physiology; foot slope; Humans; Leg - physiology; Male; Muscle, Skeletal - physiology; Postural Balance - physiology; Posture - physiology; squatting strategy; sway analysis; tiptoe
• ISSN: 1880-6791; 1880-6805
• DOI: 10.2114/jpa2.27.11

Deep squatting places a burden on the lower limb muscles and influences postural balance. We attempted to determine the effects of postural changes on the rectus femoris, tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius, soleus, and extensor digitorum brevis muscles during squatting in 8 healthy male subjects. Three squatting conditions were involved: full squatting (FS), tiptoe squatting (TT), and tiptoe squatting on a 15° slope (TTS), performed randomly and recorded in a period of 4 min for each task. The influence of the squatting condition on electromyography and vertical ground reaction force parameters was examined in order to observe the effect of postural alteration on muscle activity and balance control. The results showed that the change of squatting posture from FS to TT decreased the activity of the rectus femoris and tibialis anterior muscles. FS has been suspected as a main cause of musculoskeletal complaint during prolonged squatting. In contrast, as the heel was lifted, the extensor digitorum brevis muscle increased to 39% of maximum activation. On the other hand, sway analysis at TT showed balance instability regarding the large area occupation of the center of pressure displacement. The presence of a 15° slope significantly reduced the muscular load. This simple study suggests that the inclusion of a sloping surface in daily activities that requires a squatting posture would be an effective means to reduce muscular load.