The influence of gender on gluteus medius activity during a drop jump

Abstract 

Objectives

To determine whether gender differences in gluteus medius activity during a drop jump were evident.

Design

Descriptive, between groups comparison.

Setting

Biomechanics Research Laboratory.

Participants

With surface electrodes placed over the muscle belly of the gluteus medius, 10 male and 10 female recreationally active college-aged subjects performed three trials of a drop jump from a box onto a force plate.

Main outcome measures

Bilateral gluteus medius mean and peak amplitude before (200 milliseconds (ms)) and after (250ms) the drop jump were compared between genders.

Results

No differences in mean or peak amplitude between genders either before or after ground contact for either the right or left sides were apparent. Substantial variability of female electromyographic (EMG) was observed.

Conclusions

Gluteus medius activity was similar between genders before and after ground contact when subjects performed a drop jump. Female subjects exhibited greater variability in gluteus medius EMG during a drop jump when compared to males. Additional research is necessary before firm conclusions regarding the influence of gender on jumping and landing tasks can be made.

Keywords: Abductor, ACL, EMG, Hip, Knee valgus