Muscle Activity of the Gluteus Medius at Different Gait Speeds

Abstract

[Purpose] The present study aimed to determine the changes in the muscle activities of the gluteus medius, latissimus dorsi, and gluteus maximus at different gait speeds, to collect basic data for the study of the gluteus medius. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were 18 young and healthy male adults whose mean age, height, and weight were 26.4 years, 173.37 cm, and 72.5 kg, respectively. Electromyograpy was used to measure the maximum voluntary isometric contraction of each muscle three times and the values averaged. Then, the subjects walked on a treadmill at gait speeds of 1.5 m/s, 2.5 m/s, and 3.5 m/s and the muscle activity of each muscle was measured. [Results] The gluteus medius showed no significant difference in muscle activity among the different gait speeds. [Conclusion] For selectively strengthening the gluteus medius, to establish the external stability of the pelvis during walking, weight loading or sloped treadmills are effective interventions. However, different gait speeds exert no significant effect on the selective strengthening of the gluteus medius.